PARLIAMENTARY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3177, 3 September 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday. KEPBESENTATION BILE. The House continued sitting in committee on the Eepresentation Bill. Mr Hursthouse spoke on a variety of subjects, and was relieved at 12.30 by Mr G-ibbs. Mr Thomson was at the same time relieved from the chair by Mr Seymour. After Mr Gibbs had spoken for 25 minutes the Colonial Secretary requested him to speak louder so that hi 3 important observations might be heard. Mr Levestam suggested that Mr Dick should come nearer to Mr Gibbs. Majov Harris appealed to the ohair to protect Mr Gibbs, and the Chairman said

Mr G-ibbs spoke quite loud enough to be heard, and the request of the Colonial Secretary was quite uncalled for. Mr G-ibbs spcke till 1.25 and was relieved by Mr Pitt. Mr Bryce took the chair at 1.50. Mr Levestam then , commenced another turn aud concluded his remarks at 2.15. He was succeeded by Mr Gibbs, who continued speaking for 20 minutes. Mr Levestam then again took up the debate for fire minutes, amidst frequent interruptions. Mr Hursthouso came to the rescue and spoke until 3 p.m., when Mr Pitt commenced another speech. He was succeeded at 3.20 by Mr Lundon, who admitted he did not know what question was before the House and was put right by the Chairman. On being ruled out of order several times, Mr Lundon resumed his seat, and Mr Collins began at 3.50. Mr Hursthouse followed, and said the Premier was evidently getting angry. He would therefore move that strangers retire from the gallery. The committee divided. —Ayes, 2 ; Noes, 40. The question was then put that the Chairman leave the chair. The committee divided. —Ayes, 11; Noes, 30. Mr Seddon moved that progress be reported and continued speaking to that motion until 4.45. Sir George Gl-rey followed and hoped progress would be reported. Mr Hursthouse again spoke for ten minutes. The question that progress be reported was put. —Ayes, 12 ; Noes, 31. - Mr Seddon at 5 o'clock moved that the Chairman leave the chair and spoke-up to the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Seymour having taken the chair, said: I have to make a statement on the conduct of the business. The committee has, now , been sitting 48 hours, and has negatived on" 23 occasions motions for reporting progress or the Chairman leaving.the chair. lam of opinion that the limits of fair discussion have been outstripped on this occasion, and it becomes my duty as Chairman, in order to uphold the proper conduct of the , business of the committee, to.put a stop to proceedings which have become obstructive. For the present therefore I shall not permit to be proposed, nor shall I put from the chair, any further motion to report progress or to leave the chair. I shall submit to the consideration of the committee any new clauees or amendments which may be bonafide and in order, and I shall then strictly confine the discussion of these amendments to the point immediately under consideration. I feel sensible of the importance of the decision to which I have arrived, but I am of opinion that that decision is absolutely necessaiy for the proper conduct of business, and so that the deliberations of the committee should be brought to that point which is usual in fair and reasonable diacussion of the measure submitted to it by the House. I have only now to add that I shall not allow this ruling of mine to be dig* puted. If any hon. member objects" torthe course I propose to take —and there may be some hon. members who may think that in the proposal I make for the conduct of the business of the chair I am overstepping due aiithority—then I think the proper time for the discussion of that point is when the House is sitting and the Speaker is in the chair. I shall not allow the ruling I giro now to be challenged. In reply to Mr Tole, the Chairman said it was not his place to quote his authorities for his ruling. It was his place to rule.

Several other members having aekect questions upon the ruling, Mr Seddon proceeded to discuss the new clause which the Chairman now insisted . upon the House dealing with.

When Mr "Seddon sat down Mr Gisborne rose and moved that the Chairman report progress. He said he did so in order that the unprecedented ruling of the Chairman of Committees relative to his procedure in committee! might be submitted for the consideration of the House, (Loud cheers and clapping of hands from the stonewall party.) The Chairman!: I may inform the Committee that I shall decline to put tbia motion. (Applause from the Ministerial side.) Mr G-isborne rose to speak to his motion, when The Chairman said: The hon. gentleman will please speak to the clauee under consideration. Mr Gisborne: I shall speak to my motion. (Cheers, and cries of " Chair.") " The Chairman: The hon. gentleman will speak to the clause. Mr Gisborne: I believe lam asserting the privileges of the House. (Cheers from the Opposition party.) If lam disorderly I wish my conduct to be reported to the House. The Chairman: I understand the hon. member declines to epeak to the clause under discussion ? Mr G-isborne : I do. The Chairman : And that he intends to, speak to his motion. In that case I declare the hon. member to be acting in defiance of the ruling of the chair. (Cheers from the Opposition.) The Premier besought members to be calm. There was no cause for excitement and they should be prepared to deal with the matter in a calm, judicial spirit. That waa the only way they were likely to arrive at a just conclusion. The Chairman then said he would leave the chair and report that the hon. membeU for Totara had been guilty of disorderly conduct. . The Speaker then resumed the chair, and Mr Seymour made his report. Sir George Grey rose and was about to speak, when The Speaker in a fierce voice cried, " Order ! If any member rises when I am on my legs summary proceedings will be ordered to be taken. It has been reported that Mr Gisborne, the member for Totara, has been guilty of disorderly conduct in committee. I will now afford that hon. member an opportunity of explaining hig conduct, after which he will withdraw from the chamber until the House deliberates what course it will pursue with regard to him." Mr Gisborne then explained his reason for what he had done and left the chamber,. Mr Hall said : Before I proceed to nlove the motion which has just now been indicated by yourself, sir, may I ask jou to call upon the hon. member -whose conduct has been challenged to re-consider the matter. . '. : The Speaker: I must positively decliue doing so. It has been explained to me that the authority of the Chairman of Committees has been set at defiance, and I have in due form called upon and. given the hon. member an opportunity for..explaining his conduct. This he has declined to do, arid it must be assumed that he had in his mind a full knowledge of the consequences, and I therefore must decline to interfere any further, as has been suggested by the hon. the Premier. I now await the motion requisite for dealing with the hon. member under these circumstances. Mr Hall: Then, sir, I have to move, and Ido so with regret, " That the Hon. Mr Gisborne, a member of this House having continued to interrupt the business of thie House in committee after having been called upon by the Chairman thereof to desist, he shall be held to have been guilty of contempt." I do this, sir, with very _ great regret, as I cannot but admit that while the hon. member has undoubtedly defied the authority of the chair he has done so in no spirit of factiousness, and has simply been actuated by a desire to assert what he undoubtedly seems to consider to have been a right. Believing him to be wrong the Chairman reported the matter to yourself, and you have decided that Mr Gisborne was in the wrong. (Cries of "No " and ■" Yes.") Therefore I beg to move ■ The Speaker : In dealing with a case of this kind I beg that it may be done , s ill' that spirit of solemnity which, is due to the im» jjortanoo of the eyenfc, .1. doiiw tbflt you

■will confine your remarks as strictly as possible to the business in hand. Mr Hall: I would ask you, sir, if it will be competent to accept a resolution affirming the offence, and leaving the question of the penalty to be dealt with by a separate resolution afterwards. The Speaker was understood to reply in the negative, and that every member was -( Buppose«l to know the penalty (o which a persistence in conduct like that complained of subjected him. " The authority of the >Chairman of Committees must nofc," he j added, " be trifled with in this way." Mr Hall: Then, sir, I will move the motion I have just read, with the addition insisted upon by you, and that the penalty be a fine of £20." The Speaker : The penalty asked for is £20; not £50, a3 provided by the standing order. It is a very light punishment for the offence with which the hon. member is charged, but as this is the first case of the kind I am not disposed to interfere. Sir George Grey : I move, as an amendment to the motion you have just read, " That the Hon. Mr Gisborne rightly strove to bring under review of the House the rilling of the Chairman of Committees, which he deemed to be of an unprecedented nature." He, (Mr Gisborne) believed that the ruling of the Chairman in refusing to accept his motion was unprecedented, and in asserting that view there was nothing in the conduct of the Hon. Mr Gisborne that could by any possibility be construed into a spirit of factious opposition. He stated • most distinctly that he believed he was acting on a ruling given by the Chairman of Committees on a previous occasion. They had all heard that ruling. It was given openly, and there could be no doubt but that the Chairman of Committees gave us most distinctly to understand that any challenge made in committee would have to be reported to you, sir, as Speaker of this House. Under these circumstences I contend that, sir, that the hon. member deserves the gratitude of this House. He deserves our praises rather than our censure for the spirit of calmness and gentleness, sir, in which he contended for what he, in common with many more members in this House, conceived to be an undoubted right. Then again, sir, I have to point out that this is a novel course of action proposed to be taken, and as such the hon. member is entitled to consideration. Sir William Fox admitted that the hon. member had asserted what he conceived to be his right in a spirit of perfect fairness and forbearance, but then they had to take all the circumstances of the case into account. The obstruction had been carried to a very great length, and unless a strong stand was taken the business could not possibly be gone on with. Mr Gisborne had no doubt / voluntarily put himself forward as a martyr. It -would be folly,.as some members of the House would appear to think, to deem it a trifling matter, which should be dealt with as-such. It was a state of matters which bad to be put a stop to, and unless that was done the same kind of obstruction might crop up again at any given moment. Mr Pitt rose to a point of order, but the Speaker ruled against him. Sir William Fox then proceeded with his remarks, the remainder of which were couched in a spirit eimilar to (he fore-going. Mr Moss spoke against the motion, stating that if the course proposed was insisted ori the standing orders were a farce and ought to be torn up. •Mr Sheehan defended the action taken by Mr Giaborne, and thought he was deserving rather of praise than censure. If it became necessary he would at the proper time move that the fine be Is instead of £20. : Mr Hursthouse said that Mr Gisborne had taken no part in the obstruction. He had only moved a test question to obtain the opinion of the House. ,Mr Shephard spoke to the same effect. Mr Stewart contended that Mr Gisborne had deliberately, and with full knowledge of the consequences, refused to obey the ruling of the Chairman. Hia very calmness was proof of the premeditation.' There was no ground for sympathy. Mr Gibbs felt that Mr Gisborne had been simply endeavoring to bring an important question to an issue. Mr Seddon contended that Mr Gisborne was not acting dispassionately. He was really excited and suffering from provocation. Mr Weeton considered that although Mr Gisborne might teahnically be guilty of contempt he was really only endeavoring to obtain, what he deemed he was entitled to— an appeal to the Speaker and the House against the Chairman's ruling. He (Mr Weston) thought that the authority of the House would be sufficiently vindicated by a fine of one farthing. Mr Macandrew, with great pain as an old friend and colleague of Mr Gisborne, felt bound to support the Premier's motion. Whether right or wrong the authority of the chair must be supported. '"■-"■ Mr Pitt disptited that view, and thought that fairer justice would be done if the House waited until it was calmer before adjudicating. In endeavoring to bring a test question to solution Mr Gisborne could not be said to have vexatiously interrupted the proceedings. Captain Russell said that no one could possibly say Mr Gisborne had attempted any contempt. He had only sought to have a question of the highest constitutional importance decided by the highest authority, instead of simply by a chairman. He (Captain Eussell) could not adjudge Mr Gisborne guilty of contempt for seeking to test an unprecedented question. Mr J. T. Fisher agreed with Captain Russell. He had lived under the articles of war and was in favor of discipline, but he denied that Mr Gisborne had been guilty of any intentional contempt. Mr Barron said Mr Gisborne had acted calmly and deliberately, and had courted his fate. Mr Johnston agreed with Mr Barron. Mr Reader Wood held that Mr Gisborne had not committed any contempt. He had simplyjcontroverted a ruling whicli he deliberately stated was in controvertion of the standing orders of the House. All that Mr Gisborne had done was to seek the opinion of the Speaker on that ruling. If he were adjudged guilty of contempt no member .would be safe from the caprice of any chairman. Mr J. B. Fisher considered Mr Gisborne guilty of cold-blooded, deliberate contempt of the chair and obstruction of business. Mr Gisborne's object might be pure, but his intention was bad. 1 Mr Rolleston said the question had now to be dealt with as one of dry fact apart : from whether the hon. member for Totara ;chose to make himself a martyr. Mr Levestam referred to the reason for the action taken by Mr Gisborne. Mr Reid spoke in mitigation of the j penalty, pointing out that there was no : premeditation, and that in the stonewall tactics, Mr Gisborne had taken no part. Mr Speight said they might leave the question of mitigation of damages out of the question and consider the reason for Mr Gisborne's action. Ho hsld that that gentleman had no other course left open to him. Mr Collins said his vote would bo given against the hon. member for Totara. He felt that his vote would lose him his election, but the hon. member had broken the standing rules of the House and had been "■ guilty of a serious offence. Major Harris justified Mr Gisborne's conduct, and was wandering from the ■ question, when the Speaker peremptorily • ordered him to sit down. Mr Tole spoke in favor of no punishment being imposed. Mr Swanson thought it unnecessary to discuss the question of mitigation, as he was , very well sure Mr Gisborne would never pay a shilling of the fine. The House ought to be obliged to Mr Gisborne for bringing up the matter, so that the whole question of the Chairman's ruling could be finally settled, Therjj was nofc a man in the House thought Mr GHekerno oughi to j»y a shilling,

Mr Ballance was speaking on the question that had led to Mr Gisborne's line of conduct, when The Speaker said the question had not been reported to him by the commit tee. The Premier said the House could not go into tlio motive of Mr Gisborne, but into his.conduct a 9 they found it. Mr Wakefield insisted that the member for Tofcara had fallen into no trap, but had done what he did from a set purpose, and had i full knowledge of its consequences. He (Mr Wakefield) would roto for the motion of the Premier. Mr Saundcrs was sorry that there could be no real punishment inflicted on Mr Gisborne, and there were several members on the Opposition side who would like to be placed in the same position. Mr Reeves pointed out that Mr Gisborne wanted the motion to report progress to be pub in order that the matter in dispute could be placed before the Speaker, but the Chairman would not allow the question to be put. At five minutes to 10 the question was put that the Premier's motion stand part of the question.—Ayes, 46 ; noes, 27. The following is the division list: — Ayes, 46. Allwrighfc Levin Andrews Macandrew Atkinson M'Oaughan Bain Montgomery Barron Murray Beetham Oliver Bowen Pyke Brandon Richardson Bryce Rolleston Colbeck Saunders Collins Shanks Dick Stevens Driver Stewart Fisher, J. B. Studbolme Fox Sutton Fulton Swanson Hall Trimble Hamlin Wakefield Hirst Wallis Johnston Weston Jones Whitaker Kelly Whyte Kenny Wright Noes, 27. Ballance Pitt Brown Reeves Fisher, J. T. Reid George Russell Gibbe Seddon Grey Sheehan Harris Shephard Hurst, W. J. Speight Hursthouse Taiaroa Hutchinson Tawhai Levestam Te Whero Lundon Tole Mason . Wood Moss On the substantive question for inflicting the fine being put the House again divided. —• Ayes, 46 ; Noes, 25. The Speaker directed, the Sergeant-at-Arms to summon Mr Gisborne and on making his appearance he was recived with applause. The Speaker then addressed him to the following effect : It is with no ordinary feelings of regret that I see before me in your present position a man of your past career. The distinguished services you have rendered to the colony are well known to all in the House. By the faithful discharge of the duties devolving upon you in respect to those services you have risen to the very highest offices of the colony. I have seen you, sir, frequently sitting as a member of this House on these benches, and yDur conduct has ordinarily been that of dignity and decorum. I have also seen you, sir, occupying a seat on the Ministerial benches, and in other capacities you are well known to have occupied positions of honor and trust in connection with the Government of this colony. As a member of this Assembly it is expected that a gentleman of your knowledge and experience would set an example to the House, more especially to youDger members of the House. It is therefore with extreme regret I find you occupying the position you now do. If we are not to look to you to uphold the dignity of the House, then I fail to see to whom we are to look for that. The House has taken a more lenient view of your case than all the facts might under the circumstances warrant. The decision arrived at by the House in your absence is this—that you, Mr Gisborne, have been guilty of wilful disobedience, and the House has thereby declared you to have been guilty of contempt, and a penalty of £20 is recorded against you. The penalty is payable at once, and until it is paid you are not permitted to resume your seat. The clerk is instructed to retire in order that immediate payment may be made. Until payment is made you can retire from the House. Mr Gisborne said he hoped he would not be considered wanting in respect to the House or in respeeb to the Speaker in making a word of comment upon the observations with which the Speaker had been pleased to ac company his statement of the decision at which the House had just arrived. His own conscience fully acquitted him of all intention of obstructing the business before the House. He was actuated in the course he had taken by no other motive than a desire of enabling the House to get consideration of a subject, and which he believed the ruling of the Chairman of Committees distinctly promised. Mr Gisborne then retired, and was loudly applauded on doing so. The Speaker said that before leaving the chair he would avail himself of the opportunity for making a few observations on the transactions of the last 48 hours. During the whole of that time no progress whatever had been made with the business, the bill before the House in committee not having been advanced a single step. He felt perfectly ashamed at the manner in which the business had been obstructed. He mentioned the matter principally with the view of assuring hon. members that there were means of preventing such obstruction, and in order that there might be no further mistake made in supposing that there was no power by which a dead-lock of the kind could be released. In the exercise of that power he for one would not flinch from the discharge of the duty entrusted to him. The committee then resumed, and a division was taken upon Mr Seddon's new clause, which was negatived by 46 to 17. Mr Speight's new clause, that there should be a redistribution of seats after every census, was then taken. Mr Hurst said he would propose the following as a substitute : " That this Act shall continue in operation till 1887, and no longer." After some remarks from Mr Speight, Mr Brandon, and Sir George Grey. Colonel. Trimble made a few remarks about the waste of time that was going on. Mr Gibbs and Mr Seddon followed. The latter referred to the members opposite as a " Judas Iscariot on every seat." Mr Saunders moved that the words be taken down. The motion was lost on the voices. Mr Seddon was succeeded by Messrs Hurst, Steward, Bowon, Sutton, Shephard,' and Sheehan. Mr Hall intimated that the Government would accept Mr Hurst's proposed clause. Mr Speight'3 new clause, providing for a redistribution of seats in the next session to be holden after each census, was then put and negatived by 52 to 16. Mr Wakefield opposed and Captain Russell supported Mr Hurst's clause, which was read a second time by 29 to 27. The clause was added to the bill by 31 to 22. Mr Seddon moved an amendment that no person shall be entitled to have his name inserted on more than one electoral roll, but it was rejected by 31 to 21. At 1.55 Mr Sheehan asked if the Chairman would accept a motion to repoit progress. The Chairman said he did not think progress should be reported till all the new clauses were passed. Mr Sbeehan then moved a clauso providing tbaUfc should not bo obligatory to hold till the oiootions on tlio same «ay

Mr Bryco here relieved Mr Seymour in the chair, and refused to put it, but stated that ho would accept a motion to report progress. Mr Sheehan then moved this, but MiHall opposed. Mr Pitt was speaking in support of reporting progress, when the Chairman ordered him to resume his seat, whicli Mr Pitt did after a protest. Mr Moss was was complaining of the House being gagged, when he was also ordered to sit down. He did so, but stood up again, and proceeded to speak of what it would be possible for a Government to do in future if it had a Speaker and a Chairman subservient to its orders. Mr Bowen drew attention to this language ac conveying imputations on the present Speaker and Chairman. Mr Moss disclaimed this intention. The Chairman ordered him to resume hi 3 seat, and he did so under fear of a heavy penalty. A motion to report progress was put and lost. Mr Pitt moved a new clause, that the Act should not come into force till after the close of next session of Parliament. Mr Seddon supported this. Mr Moss asked if the topic was removed from him, as he had not been told for how long ho was to keep his seat. Mr Moss spoke some time, and was again called to order. Messrs Seddon, Shephard, and Pitt, having spoken, the clause was lost by 27 to 7. On the schedules being reached, Mr Sheehan moved to ieport progress. Mr Hall opposed, and called on the Committee to pass the schedules as they stood, saying any alterations the Government thought desirable could be brought down by message from the Governor afterwards. Mr Pitt protested against the schedules being so rushed through. The motion to report progress was lost by. I 27 to 7. On the first clause, Bay of Islands one ! member, being put, Mr Sheehan moved to insert two instead of one, but that was lost by 28 to 5. Two amendments to change the name to Mongonui were also lost, Mr Lundon then moved an alteration in the boundaries. Mr Pitt urged that the schedules should bo sent to a select committee. Mr George said four Northern districts deserved to retain their present boundaries. Major Atkinson said the Government insisted on the schedules being passed as printed. When this was done any amendments suggested to the Government would receive careful consideration. Mr Lundon withdrew his amendment. On the clause, Auckland City, Mr Seddon moved that it have two members instead of one, and that Auckland North be struck out. Lost by 27 to 5. Mr Seddon proposed to give Auckland City West two members instead of one. Lost by 28 to 5. Mr Seddon moved the amalgamation of Franklyn North and South. Lost by 24 to 4. Mr Seddon then moved to give the Thames two members. Lost by 31 to 6. A similar motion with regard, to the Hutb was lost by 26 to 4. Mr Pitt, at 6.10 moved to report progress. Lost by 25 to 4 Mr Seddon moved to amalgamate the two Wairarapa districts. Ayes, 4 ; Noes, 25. Mr Seddon proposed to amalgamate the three Wellington City districts, giving them three members. Ayes, 6 ; Noes, 22. Mr Pitt moved that Nelson City have two members, and at length urged its claims. Major Atkinson regretted the Government had to oppose this but in justice to the rest of the colony they had no option. He hoped the day would come when Nelson would be entitled to and get increased representation. Mr Pitt's amendment was lost by 22 to 9. A proposal of Mr Gibbs, which was supported by Mr Hursthouse, to insert; " and Collingwood " after the name Motueka, was rejected on the voices, and a motion to give Motueka two members was lost by 26 to 9. Mr Gisborne moved alterations in the Westland districts. Lost by 23 to 9. Mr Jones proposed certain alterations in the Waitaki district, and spoke strongly in favor of their necessity. Lost by 25 to 3. Mr Pitt, as a final protest, moved to strike out the motions altogether. Lost by 30 to 7. The schedules were then put as a whole, and carried on the voices, and the bill reported to the House. The Speaker having taken the chair, the report was agreed to. Major Atkinson moved that the bill be recommitted, to strike out clause 8, the leasehold franchise. Sir George Grey asked also to be allowed to move a new clause, that no difference be made between the members of electorates in town and country districts, bub this was negatived. The bill was then recommitted, Colonel Trimble in the chair. Clause 8 was struck out on the voices, and the bill was reported as amended. Major Atkinson moved that the amendments be agreed to. Mr Sheehan protested, and appealed to the Government to grant an adjournment. Major Atkinson said no good could' arise from postponing the third reading. Sir George Grey supported the adjournment, which was negatived on the voices. The amendments were then agreed to by 36 to 11. Major Atkinson moved the third reading. Sir George Grey was speaking at length : against the bill as a measure dangerous to the liberties of the colony, when he was called to order several times for wandering from the subject, and at last sat down. Mr Sheehan moved that the bill be read a third time that day six months. He said the bill had been carefully designed and cunningly devised to unseat the Opposition and secure the elections for Government supporters. Again its effect would be that towns and cities will govern the colony. Taranaki, he observed, come what will, always turned up right. They at least had their rights carefully considered. At 10.15 Sir G. M. O'Rorke was relieved by Mr Seymour. Mr Sheehan continued: He had been told over and over again that any reasonable remonstrances would be considered by the Government. He was one of a deputation who made such representation, but no concession was obtained. When the Government was asked to consider the Maori population, the reply was that the Maoris had special representation. On asking if special representation was given native population would be included in the basis, the Government replied that it did not wish to interfere with special representation. Otago and Canterbury now having got the whip-hand of the legislation, the great question with Otago would be how to get the whip-hand of Canterbury. He thought the demand made by the North Island members reasonable. One of the first results of this bill would bo to remove the seat of government. He referred to the Thames district, and said the whole district had been dismembered. _ He characterised the bill as a gross injustice to the North Island. The bill, belore it was long in operation, ho said, would be the means of separating both Islands. He would vote against the third reading. Mr Shephard supported the amendment, and condemned the bill, expressing deep regret that the efforts of the past fortnight had nob been instrumental in producing a better result. Mr Collins spoke against the bill, doing so in the shape of a last protest. He congratulated Mr Pitt on the able manner in which he had conducted the struggle. Mr Levestatn also entered his protest against the bill. Ifc was the Government who were the real obstructors, inasmuch as that the bill did not endorse one single pledge made by the Premier in his speech at Lieston. He supported the amendment, Mr Gibbe also protested, in what he do« serifeod as being in all pobabilifcy Ms dying

speech and testimony, aiid lifted up his hands against the high-handed injustice . being inflicted upon them. Mr J. B. Fisher spoke in favor of the bill. He admitted that the Nelson members had fought gallantly. Mr Hursthouse taunted the previous speaker with having deserted his friends in the hour of need, denying that the measure was either acceptable or suitable to the country. Mr Speight entered his protest against the bill,- and said it did not meet the view of the country as would bo shown by the general elections.