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HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Scene in the House upon the division for the second reading of the Reform Bil}:— ■

It was now, a quarter to 1 o'clock, and, the Speaker; having put the question, the House proceeded to a; division. The greatest excitement prevailed in all :parts of the House. Upwards of GOO members, 'were present; a considerable number of distinguished, persons occupied the seats assigned to visitors one t either side of the entrance behind the bar and the ' gallery immediately over the clock; while both the Speaker's and strangers' galleries were crowded with an excited audience. Upwards of 20 minutes -were* consumed in taking the division, and as the moment for announcing the result>approaehed, the excitement rose to'the highest pitch. The great bulk of the members, as usual, on returning from the division lobbies, resumed their places on either side of the chamber, but a large number of them had as* sembled in a dense crowd at the bar. At length the tellers made their appearance, and then there veer©, cries of " Order, order!" and "Bar, bar!" As the tellers took their places, it was seen in ah instant on. which' side the majority lay, and as they advanced to the table a, vociferous cheer, in anticipation of :the actual result, rose from the opposition side. The numbers were— : For the second reading of the Bill 291 For Lord J. Russell's -resolution' 330 Majority for the resolution 39 As the numbers, were announced, the House again rang with a triumphant shout from the Opposition benches. It will be perceived by the division thafc 621 members were in attendance—a number .unprecedented, except on an extraordinary occasion, such, as this. ■ After the announcement of the result of the division; ■■ ■ . • ■ -The Speaker put the resolution of Lord John Russell, and thereupon Mr. Wyld rose and said,-r-I wish to add an amend* nient. (Laughter, and cries of "Oh, oh!") It is, " That at any election of a member or members to serve in Parliament the votes shall be taken by ballot." (Cheers.) I am sure, after, the protracted debate which has just been brought to a termination, I shall best consult the. convenience of the House by not entering into the general question involved in, my amendment. ("Hear, hear," "Divide!" and a laugh.)' I shall, therefore, at once move that.the* words I have read be added to the resolution. (Gries of " Withdraw!" and " Divide.")' The Speaker having put the question, Mr. H. Berkeley—whose rising gave occasion for some laughter and cries of "Divide!"—said, Sir, as this is a question which I have taken a prominent part in advocating for many years past, I trust to the courtesy of honorable members to allow me to address a few observations to the House. First, I would request my hon. friend (Mi*. Wyld) not to press his motion. '(Laughter and cheers.) Sir, (cries of "Divide! "a laugh, and " Go on!"), I have always consulted those honorable gentlemen, who have done me the honor to place me in the front of the battle in this question as to the mode in which it should be brought forward; and I find it is the general opinion of the leading men of that particular party [ that it will be detrimental to the ballot to introduce it to the House in this manner. It is not, however, in deference to any man or any set of men that I have come to the conclusion that this is not the time or the occasion, for propounding it. (A laugh.) I do not think a man is called on to support any question, however important, if he be of opinion that it is brought forward in an improper manner. (" Divide !") If my honorable friend will give notice of a substantive motion on this question, it shall have my cordial support. ("Divide.") But if he persists in dividingnow,l will not certainly go into the same lobby with him. I will not vote against the ballot, but I'will certainly ■withdraw from the House. I entreat the honourable gentleman not to. place this question' in this disadvantageous position. (Here the hon. member turned round to the hon. 'member for Bodmin, and addressed several observations to him at the top of his voice, but amid sucli incessant cries of "Divide divide!'* that his remarks were inaudible.) Mr. M. Gibson.—Sir, it appears to^ me that to commence the discussion of such an important question at such a moment as this would be perfectly unprecedented. (Cries of "Oh!" and interruption.) I am in favour of the ballot (" Divide, divide "), but; I respectfully submit to my hon. friend that the best mode of submitting the question of the ballot to the house will be to give notice—(interruption, cries of "Now," and " Divide.") If he wants to take, an unfair division upon the ballot —if'he'wants'to obtain the least possible support, he will goto a division now. ("Divide!") As a'friend-of. the ballot I trust he will not call for a division. If he does, I for one will not go into the lobby with him. Here Mr. Bright and other hon. members surrounded Mr. Wyld, and endeavoured, apparently without effect, to shake his resolution. • Mr. Clay arose amid loud cries of "Divide," which were reviewed as often as he attempted to make I himself heard. All that could be' made out was that the hon. member moved the adjournment o£ the debate. ( il Divide, divide.") Sir J. V. Shelly next rose, and was greeted with deafening cries of "Oh," and "Divide." The hon. "gentleman sat down,without, being able to gain a heari ns?. Lord John Russell then rose and addressed the house in dumb show. The noble lord's lips were seen to move, but not a syllable could be heard above the uproar.' From his lordship's gestures it was supposed that he appealed to the hon. member for Bodmin not to press his motion. The motion for the adjournment of the debate was negatived without a division. The Speaker then put the question upon Mr. WyWs resolution, when Mr. Berkeley, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Bright, and many other hon. members rose and left the house without voting. So great was the throng of members passing out at the door that •'time" was called by impatient members within the house, and the Sergeant at arms'was compelled to close the doflr before all the retreating members could make good their exit. The Speaker then again put Mr.' Wyld's resolution, when an'overwhelming cry of "No!" was raised. The cry. of " The Ayes have it" was, however, heard, and the house divided— For Mr. Wylde's .amendment .... 98 Against it ......... 328 Majority . ........ 230 The Speaker then put Lord John Russell's resolution; but there were many Noes, and it was thought a division would take place. When the crowd of members who had. gone out to avoid voting on Mr. , Wyld's amendment had entered the House and the'

Majority

doors were shut, the question was again put. The Speaker declared that tlie Ayes 'had it. Some few members said the Noes had; but when the Speaker put the question a third time no one gainsaid the declaration that the Ayes had it, and the announce-, went■ was received with cheers from the Opposition. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said,—lt will, perhaps, be -convenient to the House to know that I shall propose that this House at its rising adjourn until Monday. (Hear, bear.) The-remaining orders of the day were disposed of, j and' then adjourned at 10 minutes before 2 o'clock,' until Monday next. '

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LT18590702.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 694, 2 July 1859, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,257

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 694, 2 July 1859, Page 5

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 694, 2 July 1859, Page 5

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