HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 208, 1 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wellington, Tuesday. The House met at 7-30 lsst night. In reply to a question, Mr Fisher said it would be too expensive to cause the telegtapft wires to be laid in pipes in exposed places in order to prevent frequent interruptions. The Premier said iIE Mr £itzroy would give notice -of a motion tegatdf ug the delay in procuring the return ie the Hinemoa, it would afford him au opportunity of making a statement explaining the dekv. The Judicial Commission Bill (the chief object of which is to ascertain by what power Mr Barton was sentenced to a month's imprisonment by the Judges) came on for debate ou the second reading. Mr Stout opposed the Bill. He did so for himself, not on behalf of the Government. The hon gentleman went at considerable length into the question, quoting from various eminent legal authorities to show that the Judges possessed such power, and had done so for 600 years; that the same power was exercised by the Judges \n the United States, and that, in fact, it was a power which the proper conduct of the business of the Court rendered it absolutely necessary should be placed in the hands of the Judges, and if that power was abused there was the power of Parliament and of public opinion as safeguards. Before the House was asked to pass such a Bill some misconduct on the Judges' part should be shown. Mr Bees followed at considerable length, takiug an entirely opposite view, and holding that the Judges were not amenable to public opinion, and were above the Legislature and the law itself. Mr Bowen said it was likely to abolish the independence of the Supreme Court and was placing the Judges on their trial without e\ena.primujacit case being made out against them. He condemredthe conduct of Mr Barton towards the Judges, and said he had a perfect monomania where Judges were concerued. Mr Moss strongly supported the Bill, and Mr Gisborne opposed it.— Mr Tole did not want the power or independence of the Judges curtailed, but would vote for the Bill. — Mr Whitaker took very similar views to the Attorney- General. The House adjourned at 12.40 a.m.