PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2308, 27 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

[press association thlhqram.] LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, August 26. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. Leave was granted to the Hon. B. Hart for the rest of the session. A Bill to provide for the settlement of the Thermal Springs districts of the colony was brought in by the Hon. F. Whitakbb, and road a first time. The Canterbury Rivers Act Amendment Bill, Wuimate Racecourse Reserve Bill, Waimakariri Harbor Board Loan Bill, Geraldine Racecourse Reserve Bill, Roxburgh Racecourse Reserve Bill, Invercargill Gasworks Site Bill, Waimafce and Temuka Schools Reserves Bill, Christchurch Street Alignment Bill, Rangiora High School Bill, Kaikoura Harbor Regulation Bill, Akaroa High School Bill, and Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association Bill were brought from the Lower House and road a first time.

An Imprest Supply Bill was passed through all its stages. The Otago Universities Reserves Vesting Bill was recommitted and further amended. On the motion of the Hon, G. M. Waterhouse, without notice, a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into an allegation that last year, while there wan considerable doubt what would be done with respect to the honorarium of Councillors, one Councillor had sold his chance to a member of the Lower House. On the motion for the second reading of the Kakanui Harbor Board Bill, it was thrown out by 14 to 9. Division list: — Ayes—Hone. Baillio, G. Buckley, Dignan, Holmes, Lahman, Pharazyn, Waterhouse, Whitaker, Wigley. Noes—Hons. Chamberlain, Fraser, Grace, Q. Johnston, Mantell, Miller, Nurse, Peacock, Peter, Reynolds, Richmond, Robinson, Williamson, Wood. The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse gave notice to introduce a rating clause in the Timaru Harbor Board Bill, and it* committal was thereupon deferred till Tuesday. The Council rose at 4 25 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Friday, August 26. The House met at 2.30 p.m. report. Mr Gisborne brought up the statute* revising committee’s report on the Lunatics Bill, that during tbe consideration important amendments have been suggested which, in the opinion of the committee, would improve the Bill, but require alteration before adoption ; and they, therefore, recommended that the subject should stand over till next session, when they doubt not an improved Bill can be introduced. PERSONAL. Mr Wakefield drew attention to the Press Association’s report of the proceedings in the House on Wednesday morning on the Representation Bill. He was reported as having assisted the Nelson members to stonewall the Bill, and as speaking for some considerable time to allow those members to refresh themselves. Tbe fact was that he was one of the members told off for night duty on the Government side, and the few remarks he made on Wednesday morning at an early hour were entirely in a spirit of good-natured fun, and were so accepted by the other side. He did not speak for more than a couple of minutes altogether. He quite recognised the difficulties of correct reporting under the exceptional circumstances, and did not believe there was any intention to misrepresent; but he wished the real facts to have given them equal publicity through the same channel as the incorrect statement. questions. Replying to Mr Bowen, The Hon. T. Dick said that the attention of the Government had been directed to a case heard in the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Oamaru, in which a man was charged with assaulting his wife under peculiarly aggravated circumstances. Inquiries should be made into the facts of the case, with the view of ascertaining whether or not a miscarriage of justice had taken place or whether the offender should not have been dealt with by a jury. Rephing to Mr Bain, The Hon. W. Johnston said that tenders had been called for the conveyance of mails between Bluff Harbor and Stewart’s Island. Replying to Mr Reid, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that in the matter of the petition of Arthur Ellis and another, Government had more than once replied that they could not entertain the claim.

Replying to Mr Macandrow, The Hon. W. Rollbston said that Government would, during the recess, carefully consider the report of the Otago pastoral leases committee, and would accept of its recommendation as indicating the particular points in which amendments should be considered. He indicated clauses in the reports upon which there was likely to arise a difference of opinion, and upon these he recommended that the committee should meet again and further consider the questions raised. The matters dealt with in the report were of a nature which could not be too carefully considered. Government had every confidence that it would be able, under the existing law, to have these runs cut up and dealt with during the recess.

Replying to Mr Murray, The Hon. T. Dick said that he hoped to be able to introduce next sitting day the proposed Patents Act Amendment Bill. Replying to Mr Reeves, The Hon. Major Atkinson said the Government did not propose adding fire business to the Insurance Department of the Government.

Replying to Mr Tole, The Hon. W. Rolleston said the Government did not consider the petition of Nui Hare, as recommended by the Native Affairs committee, was a matter in which it could interfere, or that any good grounds had been shown for doing so. Replying to Mr Swanson, The Hon. Major Atkinson said that provision would be made for dispensing with the stamped receipt on tho payment of imperial pensions, NEW BILLS. Tho following Bills were introduced and read a first time: —Port Chalmers Dock Trust (Hon. J. Hail), Counties Act Amendment (Mr Seddon). STONEWALLING, On the Orders of the Day being called on, Mr Speight moved the adjournment of the House, stating that he did so for the purpose of ventilating a grievance in connection with the pension question. After having spoken for about an hour, Mr Bowen rose to a point of order. He asked the Speaker to rule whether the forms of the House might be taken advantage of for tho evident purpose of stonewalling. The Speakeb replied that it was not for him to assume the object of any member, and he did not feel called upon to interfere so long os a member did not attempt to anticipate the discussion of any Bill or motion on the Order paper. He was quite in order moving tho adjournment of tho House. Mr Speight thanked the Speaker for his strict impartiality, and, in proceeding, said he was not making a speech to the galleries, nor yet did he desire to make use of the pages of “ Hansard ” to speak to his constituents. If, therefore, it was thought desirable, he would not insist upon what he had to say being reported. He asked tho Speaker whether this expense could be saved to the country. The Speakeh said if tho hon. member was willing to have his speech unrecorded he would communicate with the chairman of the reporting debates committee. Mr Speight then continued, and spoke for some time, when ho was interrupted by a message from the Governor recommending that the subject of Dr. Pollen’s pension should be considered by the House, and on the motion of tho Hon. J. Hall, it was decided that that course should be agreed to. Tho Hon. J. Hall then objected to any further remarks being made by Mr Speight on that subject, seeing that the House had decided upon its discussion at a future date. The Speaker sustained the objection. Mr Speight said that this was a new experience in Parliamentary practice. He had other subjects, however, to deal with, and he proceeded with his remarks dealing with the constitution of the Legislative Oounoil. Interrupted by the 5 30 adjournment. EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30. NOTICE OF MOTION. The" Hon. J. Hall gave notice of a draft code of Standing Orders with reference to tho wilful obstruction of the business of the House, based upon those adopted by the Imperial Parliament in February of last year

enabling the Speaker to put an end to discuslions which may be considered by the House irrelevant or more repetition on the part of the speaker addressing the House, the said power to be exorcised in virtue of and upon the vote of two members to one. He asked that this consideration be made an order of the day for Monday. Sir G. Gbby felt that a serious step was being proposed, and ho suggested that they should adjourn at once to consider their real import upon the business. The Hon. J. Ham submitted that they would have Saturday and Sunday to think over the effect, and that ought to be sufficient for all the requirements of the case. The Speakbb ruled that any proposal for adjournment could not bo entertained in the face of a discussion going on for the adjournment of the House.

Mr Speight proceeded with his speech, which he concluded at 8 p.m. Mr Gibbs followed in a similar strain.

Sir G. Grbt appealed to the Government to consent to an adjournment. The motion tabled by the Premier during the earlier part of the evening was one of grave responsibility, and might induce a complete alteration in the mode of procedure.

The Hon. Major Atkinson could see no reason for the adjournment, insisting that plenty of time would be afforded for considering and determining the prospect of affairs. Mr Sbddon spoke for about two and a-half hours on the Public Works policy and a variety of subjects. Messrs Pitt, Shephard and Levestam also spoke on the question that the House adjourn.

Mr Geohub said that motives had been freely imputed and denied. Ho was an Auckland member, and ho had a motive. They knew that it was proposed to give the balance of power to the South Island, and he was determined it should not have it. The Hon. J. Ham said tha there could be no doubt but that tho sole motive was to obstruct the business. He believed he was expressing tho opinions of nine-tenths of the country that the forms of the House had been abused to such an extent that coercive measures should be resorted to. Members must know that they could not force the views of the minority on the majority, and most assuredly they would not succeed on this occasion. Mr Bbbvbs said it was well known that the Government intended to prevent an adjournment of the House until they had got through their Bill. Now, if the course followed had not been taken they would have had to remain there till tomorrow night, and, perhaps, all through Sunday. It was therefore a most proper course, the course pursued. Mr Hamlin denounced tho course followed by the Opposition. Mr Htjbsthopsb challenged them to dissolve the House, and allow them to appeal to the country, and then it would be seen whether or not the Opposition was in the right. The Hon. W. Eomeston said they were reasonable beings, and as such it was not due to them to obstruct the business by mere physical force. The Government had no fear of going to the country, but they would be neglecting their duty if they went to the country without securing the readjustment that was demanded.

Mr Mobb defended the course pursued by the Opposition. He was taking no part in the debate himself, but he gave those who did every credit for the purity of their motivee, The House rose at 1.10.