DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 239, 9 October 1877, Page 4

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT.

The recent debate on the Hawke'a Bay transactions has enabled " Needlegun "io the *' Canterbury Times " to concoct the following: — I have received a copy of the rules of the Wellington Debating Sooiety. I select a few of the most important: — (i.) When criticised call your opponent a liar. This is the argumetum Billingsgattium. It may. not always be true, but is quite fair, since he has , either called you a liar, or will soon do . 80i (ii.) The Tv- quoque direct or indirect is essential to success in debating. For instance, " You're a precious scoundrel " can be met. either by direct Tv guoque, "You're another," in which caae your opponent ha 6 to fall back on his own vocabulary for another epithet; or indirectly, ns " Who ran away from his creditors ? " (iii.) The antecedents of au opponent should always ba carefully scrutinised. If you ask him by what dodge he got into the Debating Sooiety, he will perhaps lose hia temper. But the safest plan is throw out insinuations against his domestic relations. Tell him that you intend to explain to the Society that little incident about the exhumation of his mother-in-law, and the way in which the inquest was burked. This will be ruled out ot order, but you will have scored a point, and members will carry away the impression that your opponent's antecedents are very shady. (iv.). Never retract a single word, unless- compelled to do co by the President, and then do it in auch a manner as to leave the deductions unaltered, while merely the facts on which they are based are changed. (v.) Incidental aid to debate should be studied. Practice occasional outbursts of passion, as those are often attributed to honesty of purpose. On the other hand, a quiet, caustic Style is often effectivd, as your hearers will conclude tbat your impassive manner conceals beneath it acute penetration into the question io hand. (vi.) The personal appearance of an opponent is always fair game; if he dresses well, describe him as a lounging insipid swell, if badly, point to°his slovenly attire as proof of aa ill-regu-lated mind. Any peculiarity from hia nose to his boots should be studiously satirised. The papers in describing your attack on such points, will say of your opponent that he « writhed, under the the lash." (vii ) When colled to order take the opportunity to explain to tho President that his ruling is not io accord with the usage of ihe English Houbo of Commons. (viii.) General rule for casea not coming under previous rules: Behave in all respects exactly in the opposite manner to that in which a gentleman instructively acts. You will thus win (ho glorious infamy of contempt, which it is your aim to obtain, and the society to which you beloug will become a raw sore upon the face of your country.