PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

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

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

(Br Tblegeaph ] t " [feom the own oohebspondbnt of the “PEKBS.”] WELLINGTON, August 26. The sole topic to-day is of course the political deadlock in regard to the Representation Bill. The plan of operation which I mentioned last night had been decided on was duly commenced on the House assembling this afternoon, Mr Speight at once beginning to speak against time. In spite of all attempts to stop him on points of order, ho continued until the dinner adjournment at half-past five, and then for half an hour this evening the object as I explained last night was to prevent the Representation Bill coming on again this week by blocking the way until an hour after whioh a no new business can be taken. It soon became clear that this could and wouldbe effected with little difficalty on the part of the stonewallers. On the House resuming tonight however, a new and startling fea'uro was introduced into the situation by the Premier giving notice of motion to introduce the cloture, in the form recently adopted by the House of Commons. This created an immense sensation on both sides of the House.

Opinions differ widely as to its prudence, but so far as I can judge the preponderance of feeling is that its introduction at so comparatively early a period of obstruction is somewhat precipitate, and may prove prejudicial to the cause it is designed to serve. lam now giving merely the weight of general opinion a< gathered from searching inquiries and many conversations with members on both sides. Of course there are some on one side who warmly approve and advocate the cloture as imperatively demanded by circumstances, and in view of the factious obstruction of the minority. Others again are most violent in their denunciation of such on interference with the freedom of debate, and predict fatal consequences to the Ministry that just seeks the aid of the cloture in carrying on the business of the country. Apart from these two extreme views of the question there is no doubt that many members regret that resort to such extreme remedy was not deferred until stonewalling had been carried beyond its present initial stage. Feeling io greatly embittered on the main question, and antagonism is growing up between the belligerent parties.