Resignation of Mr Bryce

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 27, 1 September 1891, Page 2

Resignation of Mr Bryce

Wellington, August 31. Mr Rees asked the Premier whether, if the Hon. Mr Bryce would withdraw the words used by him, and which were declared by him to be unparliamentary, the Premier would in that case give facilities for a motion rescinding the resolution passed by this House, and expunge the proceedings from the record of Parliament. The Premier said the Government would be prepared to give every facility for the consideration of this question, and they were also prepared to support any motion which would have the effect of rescinding the resolution passed on Thursday upon the hon. gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition. The Minister for Public Works contended that the words used by the Hon. John Bryce were unparliamentary. The Honl Mr Eolleston said there was in his opinion a general feeling that the Hon. Mr Bryce was condemned first and heard afterwards. The Speaker, in giving his decision, quoted at length from the Imperial Hansard in support of his ruling, and submitted that he was correct in ruling that the expression used by the Hon. Mr Bryce was unparliamentary. If the hon. gentleman had said he would withdraw the words, nothing of thie kind would have taken place. The Hon. Mr Kolleston nsked the Premier whether he was prepared to make any motion in the direction of rescinding the vote of censure and expunging the proceedings from the journals of the House? The Premier replied that after the very clear ruling of the Speaker he thought the House would agree with him that nothing the House had done in this connection should be undone. The Hon. Mr Eolleston then rose, and handed the Hon. Mr Bryce' s resignation to the Speaker. The Premier moved that a new writ be issued, saying, that he did so with, a great deal of regret.