PARLIAMENTARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2310, 30 August 1881, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.J HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, August 29. The House met at 7 30 p.m. Immediately after prayers, Mr Pitt, still standing, said —Sir, I beg to move “ That this House do now adjourn.” The Speaker ruled that the motion could not be accepted until it had been ascertained what preliminary work presented itself. NOTICES OP MOTION. Mr Speight gave notice that he wonld move—“ That a new redistribution of seats La the Assembly follow upon each return being made of the census.” Mr Pitt gave notice that in committee on the Representation BiU he would move—- “ That it should not come into operation until the close of the next session of Parliament.” Notice was also given that the residential franchise should be the only one recognised under the Act. the cloture. The Speaker said ho had carefully considered the nature of the motion for cloture given by the Premier. It came under the operation of clause 391 of the Standing Orders, which provided that such motion must be dealt with by a House of two-thirds of the whole, and would have to remain on the Order Paper es a notice for four clear days. Under the circumstance, the motion could only be received subject to those conditions. The Hon. J. Hall said that he would act on the suggestion now me da. In the meanwhile he apprehended that the motion would have to come under the cognizance of the Standing Orders committee. Sir G. Grey assumed that an important step like this was taken with the advice of the law officers of the Crown. Such being the case, he thought that a copy of that advice should be given to the House. The Hon. J. Hall replied that Sir Q. Grey had no right to assume anything of the kind, nor had he anything to do with what advice Government might take from the law officers. STONEWALLING. Mr Put then moved hie motion for adjournment. He intimated his intention of speaking for some considerable time, and by way of saving expense he desired that what he said should not be reported. The Hon. J. Hall opposed the request not to have the speech reported. He thought the country should know what was being done, and to what effect their time was being wasted. Mr Pitt in proceeding dealt with Sir J. Vogel’s letter, giving it as his opinion that Government might be engaged considering that matter with more prefit to themselves than considering the business on the Orderpaper. After three quarters of an hour’s speech he resumed his seat Mr Seddon professed bis readiness to second the motion, but on being told that he would not be allowed to speak unless he chose to avail himself of that opportunity, he withdrew, and Major Harris seconded the motion for adjournment. Sir G. Grey contended that it was a mistake to say that the cloture resolutions proposed by the Premier were applicable to this colony because they had been adopted by the Imperial Parliament, He contended further that the precedent of the Imperial Parliament was otherwise inapplicable to their case. The public opinion of Parliament amongst them invariablv ran in concord with the feeling of the multitude outride, and that opinion was sufficient to repress anything like undue license. Then, again, it was proposed by the BiU to place the North Island in a minority, and it was a most unfortunate thing to inaugurate such a state of things under such auspices. It would give a few wealthy families who had acquired large estates a most undue power and voice in the Legislature. He therefore trusted that no attempt wonld be made to thrust these resolutions on the House. Mr Mac Andrew regretted that the House did not see its way to proceed with the BiU. They had al-eady decided upon the representation basis. He was about te show the preposterous character of the proposal contended for by Nelson, when the Speaker ruled him out of order, adding that he was bound to confine himself to the motion for adjournment. Mr Macandbew I am no party to this stonewalling business, and in that case I find there is nothing for it but for mo to sit down. Mr Shephakd next spoke, Messrs Seddon and Gibbs occasionally calling attention to the state of the House, so as to give the speaker breathing time. Mr Seddon followed with a strong protest against the injustice sought to be perpetrated by the cloture. Mr Huesthousb commerced speaking at 11 40, and spoke until 12 35 on the subject of forest conservation. Now business being then impossible, the motion for adjournment was carried, and the House rose.