THE “STONEWALL.”

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2315, 5 September 1881, Page 3

THE “STONEWALL.”

THE CLOSING SCENES. [Br Telegraph.] [FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OP THE “PRESS.”] WELLINGTON, September 3. Tho proceedings last night in the House were decidedly interesting. Mr Gisborne having been found guilty of oontempt, and ordered to pay a fine of £2O for wilfully refusing to obey tho Chairman of Committees, was ordered to attend in his place. On hi* entering the House, the stonowallers cheered him tremendously, as if ho had done some highly meritorious thing. The Speaker then announced to him the decision of the House, and in doing so, gave him such a talking to as be is not likely to forget. It was by far tho severest part of tho punishment. I hear that the stonowallers had a cheque for £2OO ready to lay on the table in theatrical fashion, but the Speaker getting an inkling of their intention, quietly informed Mr Gisborne that tho fine was payable in the clerk’s office, and requested him to retire there to pay it. Mr Gisborne submitted to the penalty becomingly enough. Sir M. O’Rorke then rose as if to leave the ohair, but befora doing so, he turned to the House and delivered his mind upon the proceedings of the past week in a voice of authority that made the rowdiest stonowaller as still as a mouse. In an instant, and in words so admirably chosen, and so perfectly irresistible in their force of reason, that the stonewallers went down before him like a heap of sand, he plainly announced that the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees were the personification of the power of tho House, and that they would not shrink from exercising that power. It was the most complete extinguisher that could be conceived. The galleries and every inch of standing room everywhere were crammed, not far short of a thousand people, probably, being present; but when Sir Maurice was speaking there wes not a sound. As soon as be ceased, and slowly descended from the chair, a storm of applause arose that lasted till ho had left the chamber. Mr Seymour then resumed the ohair in committee, and the discussion on the new clauses wont on quite quietly, all the proposed clauses being rejected except one, which tho Government accepted from Mr Hurst, making the Act terminable in December, 1887, so a* to necessitate a new redistribution after the next census, if necessary. When the schedule was reached Mr Sheehan urged the Government to consent to an adjournment, but they resolutely declined, and in spite of twelve hours’ further obstruction of the most vexatious and contemptible kind, they succeeded in forcing the Bill right through, recommitted it, striking out the leaseholders clause, which is to be a separate Bill, and getting the question of the third reading put. By this time Sir G. Grey am his followers had come back full of mischief, and the proceedings were very bad, but the disorderly one* evidently had a wholesome dread of Sir M. O’Rorke, who certainly gave them no quarter, but treated them like so many ill-behaved eohool boys, whom, in fact, they really resembled. Mr Moss was especially impudent, but Sir Maurice ordered him peremptorily to sit down, and he sullenly obeyed. The Grey Party put it widely about that at half-past seven Sir George Grey was going to make a great epeecb, defy the Speaker and the House, and dare them to have him arrested. 1 am told that the gallery was to have been crammed with Sir George Gray’s partisans, and, in fact, there was to have been such a scene that must have brought the proceedings to a scandalous and violent close. This was the report, and there was probably a good deal of truth in it. I believe, myself, that Sir George Grey hesitated to go the lengths that his followers wished, no doubt seeing that it must end badly for him, and might get him into a very awkward scrape without gaining the desired object of making a martyr of him for electioneering purposes. There is little doubt, however, that if the House had met this evening, there would have been some disgraceful disturbance, and the Government, having got timely warning, therefore moved the adjournment of the debate till half-past two on Monday, which was carried with little opposition. It is hoped that after a quiet Sunday the stonewallers will be in a more reasonable mood. At all events, the third reading of the bill is bound to be carried without further delay, and tho Bill will become law within a week or two unless further irregularities occur. It is expected that tho session will close in three weeks. Sir George Grey’s and Mr Gisborne’s conduct, especially the former’s, is universally condemned, except by the small band of unruly members, who would do anything to prevent the passing of the Bill.

[THOM thk own coebbspondbnt op the “ PBHSS.”] WELLINGTON, September 4. I am not sura whether Mr Gisborne’s historical speech which brought him under the Speaker’s censure was reported fully. In moving—“ That the Chairman report progress in order that the unprecedented ruling of the Chairman of Committee relative to his procedure in committee may be submitted for the consideration of the House,” Mr ;Gisborne said—“ It is my intention, sir, to press this motion as the only means of bringing your ruling under the review of the House, and if you rule mo out of order I shall resist your ruling with the object of being reported to the Speaker as disorderly, and thus enabling the committee to obtain the opinion of the Speaker as to whether your ruling is correct.” The Government pushed on the Bill yesterday through committee, and then debated the third reading till 5 p.m,, when the House adjourned after a seventy-five hours’ sitting, it being understood that Sir G. Grey was about to try some new device. I hear that when the House resumes to-morrow Sir Q. Grey intends directly defying the Speaker’s authority with a view of forcing his committal to the Sergeant-at-Arms. Four others are to accompany him. The plans are only in the course of arrangement as yet, so it is difficult to say the precise shape that the new obstruction will take, but another very sensational scene is expected. A telegram received from Nelson intimates that the people of Nelson hold themselves liable for any fine or costs incurred by their representatives and the supporters of the latter in opposing the Representation Bill, and thot a fund is already being formed for the purpose. A petition is also being signed there, praying tho Governor to dissolve Parliament.