PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 4242, 30 September 1876, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

[Br Telegraph.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

September 29. In reply to questions, Ministers stated (1) that the erection of a lighthouse on Cape fcanders would be proceeded with as soon as possible, aud (2) that he hope could be held out by the Government agreeing to guarantee 5 per cent, on the cost of constructing a railway from Waipihee to Tapanui. THE MAIL PENALTIES. The Postmaster-Gkneral explained that with the consent of the N. S. Wales Government it was intended to stop the legal proceedings commenced in England and America for penalties and recovering of the bond under the Forbes contract, and to accept the offer of Mr I unningham, which would return to the contracting Colonies about ten shillings in the pound. THE TIMARU HERALD AND THE HONORARIUM. Mr Laknach, before the Orders of the Day were proceeded with, called attention as a breach of privilege to' the ' Timaru Herald's' article on the above, and asked the House to express an opinion in reference to it.

Considerable discussion took place as to whether or not it was advisable to read the article, but ultimately that was done, whereupon.

Mr Larnach moved that it was a breach of privilege. Sir George Grey then moved that the House proceed with the Orders of the Day. The House had already showj its displeasure on the subject, and he thought that ought to content them. There was no doubt that the article was unwise and discreditable to the writer.

The PitEiMißß said having gone so far, they must declare the article a breach of privilege ; but, that done, he thought the matter might be let drop. Mr Andrew argued that neither the article, nor anything in it, was a breach oi privilege •

The Hon. Mr Whita.kkb said there was no doubt as to the article being a breach of privilege, but as to going beyond declaring tbat he would not say, Mr Brown (Ashley) said that if the article was considered a breach of privilege he was prepared to call attention to another phase of the case.

Mr Pfke then moved that the printer, publisher, and proprietor of the 'Timaru Herald' be arraigned at the bar of the House, to answer a charge of breach of privilege. The Premier moved that the debate be adjourned till Wednesday next. This would enable the proprietor of the journal to make ample apology. If he did not do that the House could take some other course.

The debate was adjourned accordingly. At the evening sitting, Mr Ekes called attention, as a further breach of privilege, to an article in the ' Timaru Herald' of the 27th hist., in which occurs the following : The other evening Mr Joyce—whom without any disrespect we may class among 1 the very lowest of the House—in the course of the debate on the report of the Eabbit Nuisance Committee, made an extraordinary and very brutal statement;. He sud that he regarded the rabbits as the. greatest blessing in the country, because they were ruining the squatters ! The ignorant, prejudiced ruffian probably did not recogui e that the ruin of the squatters meant the depreciation of the value of property, and a general depression in trade, including his own, which, w«s understand, is that of a publienn. A coarse boor like Mr Joyce might be excused for such a sentiment, for he knew not what ha did. But what shall be said for Sir George Grey • a cultivated man aud an experienced politician and administrator, who was capable of endeavoring to ruin the credit of the Colony and plunge a large number of unoffending families in want, in order to wreak his spite upon political opponents ? We can only say this of him: he is out of his mind aud deserving of pity rather than anger; or else he is a public enemy, whom every one who hag the welfare of the Colony or the safety of society at heart saould do his best to crush. He is either a lunatic or else a disgrace to the New Zealand Parliament • and of less account in the eyes of all good citizens than the meanest member of the community who keeps the law and does his duty towards his neighbor I

The Premier moved that the printer, publisher, and proprietor of the 'Timaru Herald' be summoned to the bar of the House by the Speaker to answer a charge of breach of privilege. The motion was agreed to, only Mi Waaon dissenting. Before the House adjourned, Mr Wakefield asked permission to make a statement. He raid that he accepted the responsibility of the articles that had appeared in the 'Timaru Herald,' and expressed regret for them. He had himself suffered from most unfair accusations by the Press, and he trusted the present occurrence would tend to prevent a treatment of members of the House by the Press that almost amounted to intimidation. For himself he withdrew all the imputations in the articles without qualification, and bitterly regretted makiug them. He concluded by throwing himself on the generosity of the House. After some discussion, Mr Joyce said that the manner in which the House had taken up his case and expressed its satisfaction with the apology of Mr Wakefield quite satisfied Mm. Except as regaided the honor of the House he had no feelings or irritation to soothe. Mr Whitaker proposed that the apology be accepted and the order made in reference t» the matter be discharged, which was unanimously agreed to. The Speaker said the way the House accepted Mr Wakefield'B apology did it infinite credit.

The House adjourned at 2.15 a.m. THE COUNTIES BILL.

The rest of the sitting was devoted to the Counties Bill. The miners' right franchise was carried by 51 against 14, and it was agreed by 54 to 18 that the county chairman should be elected by tho ratepayers. Sir George Grey made an attempt to secure manhood suffrage, but was defeated by 42 against 11. At clause 53 progress was reported. ABOUT THE LOBBIES.

{From our otn Correspondent.) The Public Petitions Committee have reported against L. J. Stead's claim for compensation.