EVENING SITTING.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2313, 2 September 1881, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

Mr Hursthouse resumed at 7.30, and spoke about half an hour. Sir G. Grey then spoke on general questions of the land law and electoral rights. He was proceeding to speak on the pensions question, when the Chairman ruled him out of order in referring to that subject. Sir G. Grey retorted that this was oppression; that if in defence of public rights endangered by class legislation freedom of speoch was denied him, he would sit down protesting against the Chairman's tyranny. Mr Swanson defended the property vote, contending that all the liberal measures they had were the result of legislation passed in virtue of the existing franchise. Referring to remarks made on a previous occasion in allusion to the writings of Carlyle, wherein the writer makes reference to the blessings of honest poverty. Mr Swanaon said there was a great deal of sentimental trash said and written on the subject, but his experience was that every man was more anxious than another to get quit of it and acquire for themselves an independence. Sir G. Grey asked to be allowed to say a few words, to whioh the Chairman replied that he would not be allowed to transgress the ordinary rules of debate. The imputation of tyranny was most unjustifiable. After a few words from Mr Seddon, Sir G. Gbby said he did not think it desirable for him to mix with Mr Swanson in political matters, as Mr Swanson was a man of property, and had a compact in his pocket making him either one of the Government or the master of the Government. Mr Swan, son's whole speeohwasin favor of the influence of wealth, and of rendering it impossible for the poor man to acquire property. He himself was opposed to any other franchise than the manhood one, but if the freehold one was to be maintained he thought the evil might be mitigated by the leasehold franchise being allowed. After further debate he was alluding to the Council's rejection of the Law Practitioners Bill, when the Chairman ruled him out of order, whereupon, after a pause, he said he supposed they must not speak of their masters in another place. He continued to speak on a variety of points until the usual adjournment for half an hour at 10.30. After the adjournment, The Hon. W. Eollbston replied to the remarks made by Sir G. Grey in reference to the Chairman, and hoped the House would uphold the dignity of the chair. He cared little for the speeches of Sir G. Grey ; they fell harmless upon him, but some of Sir G. Grey's remarks were contemptible. He (Mr Bolleston) however, would never sit still and hear the Chairman spoken of as Sir G. Grey had apukon of him. From a long experience of Sir G. Grey, he knew he was utterly insensible to shame and decency, and had not a spark of generosity or patriotism about him, nor had he one of those qualities which the House could respect. Mr Collins followed with a reiteration of his statement that he would fight the Bill out as long as it lasted. He was prepared to sit as long as the present Parliament existed. Mr Speight relieved Mr Collins at 11.40 p.m., and spoke till 12.10 a.m., when the committee divided on the question of the Chairman leaving the chair :—Ayes, 10 ; noes, 27. Mr Sheehan immediately moved that progress be reported, and Mr Beeves proceeded to speak. At 12 35 the committee divided—Ayes, 6 ; noes, 26. Mr Beeves then moved—" That the Chairman leave the chair." He intimated his intention of speaking until eight o'olock in the morning. Major Atkinson called attention to Mr Beeves' threat to speak till eight o'clock. A disoussion followed as to whether the business of the committee was being conducted in "an orderly manner," in the course of which Mesßrß Sheehan, Whitaker, Seddon, and Turnbull took part. The Chaibman (Mr Seymour) ruled that the order did not go far enough to warrant him in putting a stop to the oarrying on of the debate by Mr Beeves. Major Atkinson quoted from May the words "nor use the rules of the House in order to obstruct publio business," and asked the ruling of the Chairman aa to whether they did not apply prohibitively to the tactics of the Opposition. After disoussion, the Chaibman ruled that it was not competent for him to put a limit to any period during which a member might ohoose to speak. At Mr Sheehan's instance the question arose as to whethei a deputy chairman nominated by th( chairman of committee, on vacating tin ohair, shoulo. carry out the rulings ol the chairman irrespective of his own opinions Mr Seymour replied that he should do so and that each successive deputy ohairmai should carry out what he believed would b< the rulings of the permanent chairman o; committees.

Mr Bbbybb moved that the chairman leave the ohair.—Ayes, 7; noes, 24. Mr Hamlin, on the nomination of Mr Seymour, took the chair. Mr Seddon moved that progress be reported. He oommenced speaking at 1.45 a.m., and spoke until 3.29,~when a division took place.—Ayes, 4; noes, 23. He then moved that the Chairman do leave the chair. Beauming his review of the Westland Electoral 8011, after reading one name, the Chairman {Colonel Trimble), who had re«

lieved Mr Hamlin, ruled Mr Seddon out of order. Mr Seddon questioned Mr Seymour s ruling. The Chairman maintained that his ruling was correct. Mr Seddon, amid cries of "Order," protested against being "sat upon." The Chairman appealed, and Mr Seddon apologised ironically; and proceeded, without further reference to the roll, basing bis remarks on the schedules. At 4.40 the committee divided on the question that progress be reported.—Ayes, 3 ; noes, 24. Mr Seddon then moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Mr Fisher asked if Mr Seddon was in order. The Chairman explained that he felt his hands tied by the ruling of Mr Seymour; but he would take the earliest opportunity, should he again occupy the chair, to exercise his own judgment, and do his best to get the committee out of the difficulty in which it was. Several motions that the chairman do leave the chair, and that progress be reported, were moved, and in each case negatived. At this stage the Chairman intimated that if the Opposition pursued its present course he would have "a painful duty to perform." Shortly before this the Sergeant-at-Arms, who was at the moment in anothor part of the House, was sent for by the Chairman. Mr Shbphard followed at some length, supporting the motion that progress bo reported. Mr Shbkhan followed, and spoke until 7.15, when the question was put to report progress.—Ayos, 3 ; noes, 24. Mr Gibbs followed at 8.20. Mr Bryce took the chair, and at once told Mr Gibbs that he must keep his remarks to bear on the Representation Bill. The House is still sitting.