PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 176, 25 July 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

[from our own correspondent.] Wellington, July 21, 1879 A calm, it is said, succeeds a storm. In this instance it came first. Rumors bad been flying about tbat there would be a fierce contest in the House for the Chairmanship of Committees, and a motion was expected to be made in the Council censuring the appointment of Sir W. Fitzherbert as Speaker. But in neither case was the report verified. Mr Seymour was chosen Chairman of Committees unopposed, and no voice was raised in the Council reflecting upou Government for the manner in which the Speaker's chair had been filled. Even on Wednesday, when Sir W. Fox and Major Atkinson prevented the motion for the address in reply being moved on that day instead of Friday, in order that the Bill authorising tbe five million loan might be got through in time to receive the Governor's sanction before the San Francisco mail left, there was little or no excitement. When, however, it became known tbat Sir W. Fox was going to bring forward an amendment to the address in reply, great was the demand for Speaker's tickets. I need not attempt to analyse the speeches made on that evening. You will have received them probably before thia letter reaches yoa. I may, however, say that neither of the two great speecbeß of that evening were at all like what bad been expected. Sir William Fox, it is well known, like the men of old time, lovea. bis friend and bates his enemy, especially the latter. A most genial and kindly natured man in private life and among bis friends, I believe I do not exaggerate when I say that the colony of New Zealand does not contain a more unforgiving man to those who have offended bim, especially in politics. If lam not mistaken he has more than once thrown away hia chance of passing useful measures rather than restrain his powers of denunciation. The impression had, however, got abroad tbat Sir William would on this occasion confine himself to a severe criticism on the administration of the Government, and not display bis personal animosity against the Premier. Those who entertained that hope were grievously disappointed. Almost from the first it became evident that the leader of the Opposition intended to *say everything that was calculated to wound aud distress his adversary. He was as rapid and fluent as ever, and more thau usually^vehement, occasionally almost theatrical. The contrast between the two rival leaders was very marked, both when speaking and when silent. Sir George sat through the speech grave and unmoved. No interruption came from him, no jeering laugh escaped him; he indulged in ho expressions of dissent or amazement, but as soon as the speech was over he left bis place and walked down to tbe end of the table, a

few feet only from where Sir William. Fox sat, and so made his reply. The Premier's speech would, perhaps, have been a mdite satisfactory one if he had . been a . woww. debater. This may sound paradoxical, hi. you will readily see my meaning. Had'he uot been a good debater he would probably have come prepared with a defence of bis administration, as it was his speech was a worthy reply to Sir William Fox'a. Sir George's manner waa, as usual, calm and unimpassioned. No member ofc either House has such a pleasing voice and enunciation. He uses but little action, yet never appears at all embarrassed as to what to do with his bauds. That I take it is what is much required in a public speaker. Surely Dr Johnson was right when he explained the famous saying ascribed to Demosthenes, that tbe three things requisite for an orator were action, action, action, that it was applicable only to barbarians. A speaker does not look <■ quite the thing if he sticks his hands deep ! down in his trowsers pocketa.and keep? them there, as does the Hon Mr Buckley, neither is the Pickwick position with one hand behind the coat tails and the other in action altogether to be admired, but either is better than to see both arms tossing about like a tailor at work. Sir George was certainly the favorite with the free and independent in .. the public gallery, and Mr O'Rorke had afc last to put a stop to the demonstrations of approval that emanated from that part -of tbe building. Mr Rolleston, who followed Sir George Grey, though of inferior calibre to the two great speakers who preceeded him, was equally disappointing. Be has been about ten years in the House, and from a hesitating and very solemn style of speaking he has gradually gained confidence and vigqur so that last. session he waa regarded as a debater of some power. Bis speech on Friday was perhaps the worst he ever made. But speeches will avail nothing, so at least the supporters of the Opposition say. They assert tbat tbey have a safe majority of eight at least, not one of whom will change if the debate goes on for a month. Perhaps the Premier had an inkling of this when he said "I'm a hunted man, Sir, but my enemies shall find that I will die hard." And with Sir George Grey at the head and Mr Bunny for whip there is every probability of the Ministry dying very hard. Mr O'Borke discharged the duties of Speaker in a manner which showed tbat for once the right man is in the right place. His rulings were prompt and decisive. It will be useless for any honorable member to try and embarrass him by questions on points of order. Possibly, under him the House may return to the state of order and decorum which characterised it in tbe days of Sir David Monro. You would hardly have heard the remark "Good Lord, think of that " uttered in a voice loud enough to reach the gallery three different times in one speeeh in his time. This undoubtedly occurred on Friday. The proceedings in the Legislative Council have not been exciting. On Friday Sir Dillon Bell by permission read an extract from the Premier to the Hon. Major Bichmond anent the Speakership of the Council, acd certainly the letter was so expressed that the reader would be justified in supposing that Sir George would expect the Speaker to help him in some way in passing his measures. Sir Dillon spoke very temperately, and was replied to by Colonel Whitmore in a not very happy speech. The one or two good points he made he weakened by repeating over again more than once. He, however, appeared to convince tbe Council that Sir George Grey, in his desire to convey to Major Bichmond the intelligence that the Speakership was not to be given to him in such a way as would cause the gallant Major the least mortification, had written in tbat rather singular manner, and so the matter dropped. I hear there is no other feeling in the Council than regret that the Major's long and honorable career did not receive this consummation. The address in reply was moved by the Hon. Patrick Buckley, aud the policy of tbe Government was very ably criticised by Mr Waterhouse.