EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 169, 17 July 1880, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Saturday. Sir G. Grey continued the debate. He condemned the Bill as violating every principle of law. It was the most cruel and unjust measure ever proposed under such circumstances to a Legislature. It also placed the Governor in a false position, making him the instrument of keeping innocent men in gaol without a trial. While Sir G. Grey was speaking, the Premier was apparently correcting a Hansard proof. Sir G. Grey suddenly stopped, and declared he would cot proceed till the Premier was attending. He then remained standing silent for upwards of an hour, members iv the meantime rising to all sorts of points of orJer, but Mr Seymour, the act-ing-Speaker, ruled that no one could interrupt Sir G. Grey whilst he remained standing, and that there was no power to make him speak. At length a chair was obtained to prop Sir G. Grey up. After a most extraordinary scene, Major Atkinson declared that the Premier had been attending and taking notes all along. As Sir G. Grey still remained silent but standing, the actingSpeaker asked him to give way to him, which he did, and Mr Seymour then left the. chair for half-an-hour. On resuming, Mr Hall declared that he had been attending all the time, when Sir G. Grey expressed regret that the statement had not been made before, and proceeeded with his speech. He asserted that the Governor had solemnly promised a deputation of Maori members that the prisoners should be tried, and he appealed to the House as Christian gentlemen to oppose the Bill. Mr S'awhiao gave an account of his connection with the West Coast Commission, saying that he had rpf used to act because Sir W. Fox and Sir D. Bell weie responsible for much of the past trouble. The Government boasted of a bold policy, and yet were afraid to let 130 men return to a district where there were 800 soldiers. The action of the Government was calculated to drive the whole native race into rebellion. Sir W. Fox denied that Sir D. Bell r himself were responsible for any of the past native troubles. He had been head of the peace-°.t-any-price party. This Act was to be passed for the suppression of rebellion. When Sir G. Grey was Governor there were far more cruel and arbitrary measures thau the present Bill. Mr Sheehan supported the Bill, as in accordance with the policy of the late Government. It was to the interests of the prisoners, of peace, and of the colony that the Bill should pass. However, it should only be after the trial. He did not believe that Te Whiti was over anxious for peace, and the release of the men now meant war. Mr Delatour opposed the Bill. Mr Reader Wood strongly condemned it. He did not believe there would be any danger in releasing the prisoners. Major Atkinson said the release of the prisoners meant war, and he would not remain an hour longer in office if the Bill was thrown out. Mr Moss opposed, and Colonel Trimble supported the Bill. Mr Hall moved the adjournment of the debate, and the House rose at 1.30 a m.