PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4230, 16 September 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[Bv TatEGßAra.] "Wellington, September 16; At yesterday's afternoon sitting, after the usual preliminary business, the House was asked to dispose of the disqualification question,, when Mr Rees, to talk against time, continued, and kept on till 5.30, when the usualadjournment took place. Usually the number of Opposition members varies between two and six, and the Government supporters between 18 and 24. The majority of these recline on the seats, reading or sleeping. Mr Rees's party manage to relieve him by raising points of order, trying for count-outs and various kinds of interruptions. It is understood that Mr Rees will speak till three to day, when .it is supposed that Mr Maestndrew is to continue for at least a day, then Mr follows for another day, the object being to protract the debate until the writs issued at the instance of Sir George Grey are returnable. The Government, it is understood, will allow the present debate to terminate before interfering. After this question is decided, the Government may introduce a similar resolution to that known in Victorian Parliament as the '' iron band."

12.30 p.m. Mr Rees spoke till one this morning,, and Mr Thomson till six, when the Speaker left the chair. Mr O'Rorke took it at ten, and Mr Thomson continued his discourse on things in general. At about 10.30, in his usually happy strain, he was quoting from Burns—"A man's a man for a' that.'*

ABOUT THE LOBBIES.

{From our own Correspondent).

Mr Rees talked for twelve hours, and Mr Thomson, who began at 1 a.m., is still (3.15 p.m.) apeaking. The Chairman of Committees and the Speaker sit by turns, and members are told off in relays. The Opposition meet at three o'clock to consider the position. .