PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 28 August 1880, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

(by telegraph.) Wellington, August 27.

In the Legislative Council to-day,

A return was ordered of all justices gone bankrupt in tho two years prior to August Ist last. The Standing Orders were suspended to enable the Government Bills to pass all their stages in one day. On the motion of Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Whitaker said the continuance of the storm warning was under the consideration of the Government. Mr. Reynolds then gave notice to ask the result of the consideration next day. The Waikato Confiscated Land Bill and Beer Duty Bills were read a second time.

The Deceased Persons Estates Duties Bill was thrown out by 20 votes t.o 7. The Council adjourned from 5 to 7.30. At the evening sitting, the Waikato Confiscated Land Bill, the Beer Duty Bill, Native School Sites Bill, Canterbury Roads Ordinance Amendment and Extension Bill, Special Powers and Contracts Bill, West Coast Settlement (North Island) Bill, Stamp Act Amendment Bill, Stamp Fee Bill, Electric Telegraphic Act 1875 Amendment Bill,. Malvern Water Race Transfer Act 1878 Amendment Bill, Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill, Taranaki Iron Smelting Works Land Act Amendment Bill, were read a third time.

The Lodgers Goods Protection Bill was read a second time.

The Otago Harbor Board Bill was read a third time.

The Mining Company's Act Amendment Bill was passed through Committee. The Council rose at 1 a.m.

In the House this afternoon, Mr. Bain gave notice that he would ask if the Government would cause to be prepared and circulated during the recess a Bill embodying the recommendations of the Joint Committee re the bankruptcy laws, as also any other recommendations of a practical character which may be made to them on the subject. Mr. Fulton gave notice that he would ask the Government what course they intended to pursue in regard to those local bodies who had entered into contracts for public works on the faith of a continuation of the subsidies.

Mr. Sheehan moved, without notice, that the minutes and report of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition of A. Clark and the Rev. Gittos be printed. He explained that the purport of the petition was an imputation against him alleging that he has appropriated a sum of money. The result of the inquiry had been a complete exculpation of his character, together with a statement on the part of the Committee of Investigation that they did not credit the evidence on the subject given by petitioners. The matter had been a good deal canvassed both in this House and elsewhere, and while he courled the utmost investigation, now that it had been made it was only fair' to him that the result be made public. He also commented on the impropriety- of petitions of this kind being received, seeing that it was not a court of law.

Captain Colbeck said he had presented the petition, but before doing so he had consulted the Speaker, Sir G. Grey, and other members of experience as to the propriety of doing so. Mr. Sheehan said he did not impute blame to the previous speaker. On the contrary, he had fully concurred in the petition being taken up. What he wished to assert was the general principle that persons of this kind who found themselves aggrieved should seek redress at a proper tribunal.

The motion for printing was put and carried without dissent.

Replying to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Hall promised that, during the recess, Government would take into consideration the desirability of increasing the ad valorem duties now imposed on all articles imported, and which can be manufactured in the Colony, with a view of encouraging the growth of Colonial industries.

Replying to Mr. Reeves, Mr. Hall said a sum of money would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates, with a view of fostering and developing local industries, and if it passed, Government would consider the propriety of allocating a portion of it as a bonus for the first 1000 barrels of cement manufactured in the Colony. Replying to Mr. Brown, Mr. Hall said it was intended to amalgamate the post and telegraph offices. Where the combined revenues would pay expenses, the additional rate of'Gd charged on telegrams sent from or to non-paying offioes would be rescinded.

Replying to Mr. Wright, Mr. Oliver said the appointment and remuneration to be paid to Mr. Carruthers as Consulting Engineer for the Colony was a subject now under consideration.

Replying to Mr. Beetham, Mr. Oliver said that attention had been directed to the use of a spark-catcher for locomotives, and so far as they had been applied they had proved moderately successful in preventing conflagrations. Replying to Mr. Murray, Mr. Rolleston said the cost of primary, secondary, and university education out of rents of reserves and other public funds in addition to votes under clause 8 of the ordinary estimates and clause 9 of the 1 Public Works Estimates, had been L 449,022.

Replying to Mr. Hirst, Mr. Rolleston said that inquiries had been made into the [ truth of the paragraph in the New Zealand Times respecting an outrage said to have been committed by Detectives Brown and Benjamin in forcing an entrance into a young woman's bedroom after a notice had been posted by a medical officer that no person be admitted, as any excitement would be dangerous to life, the result being that they found the paragraph not justified by the facts of the case. Replying to Mr. Richardson, Mr. Oliver said tfye cost of work for protecting the railway to the north of Timaru, including haulage costs, had been L 3616.

Replying to Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Rolleston said it was intended to give practical effect to the recommendations of the Colonial Industries Commission on the subject of the conservation of the public forests of the Colony. Mr. Oliver moved the second reading of the Public Wwks Bill, which, after discussion, was carried. t

The House then went into Committee on the Bill. After four clauses had passed, progress was reported,

The House went into Committee in consideration. of the resolution about inscription of stock.

Mr. George M'Lean thought the matter could stand over, and Mr. Reader Wood opposed the resolution. On being put, they were negatived on the voices.

Mr. Sail said he hoped the amendment of the member for Christchurch would not under the circumstances be pressed. Mr. Reader Wood argued that the inscription of stock had secured no real benefit to the colony. On the contrary he could look upon it as nothing, more than sucking the life blood of the colony in the shape of a commission to stock brokers. He thought the best thing that could be done was to adopt the amendment.

Mr. Hall said the process of inscription would be only exercised to a limited extent, and he hoped tho mover of the 'amendment would be content with that assurance. Mr. Stevens then consented to withdraw -the amendment, and the ohairman left the chair. The House then -went into Committee for further consideration of the Public Works Bill. On the motion of Mr. Stewart, the fol* lowing amendment in clause 17 was pro*

posed Provided any proposed agreement bo laid on the table of the Hpuso of Representatives within 30 days of tho beginning of next session of Parliament, and shall not be binding until the same have been approved. Several other clauses wore also added to the Bill, after which it was reported with amendments, which were agreed to. It was then read a third time and passed. On the motion of Mr. Hall, tho Hokitika Harbor Board Bill, empowering th» Board to raise a loan of LSOOO, was road a second time. It passod through Committee, was read a third time, and passed. In reply to a question put by Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Rolleston said tho report of the Commissioners, Messrs. Strodo and Simpson, on the Caversham Industrial School, would bo laid on the tablo tomorrow. The effect of the report would appear from tho following extract "Generally we would express our groat satisfaction with the management of tho ' institution, and the zeal of the master and matron." Mr. Hutchison moved, on tho motion for going into Committeo of Supply, that the ton per cent, reduction should not apply to salaries of Ll5O and under. Mr. Bain seconded tho motion, stating that when the reduction was agreed upon, he understood it was to bo a discriminating reduction, and that the salaries only ' of large amounts would bo affected by it, Mr. Pyke supported the motion. Messrs. Seddon and Murray also spoke in favor of the motion. ! Sir G. Grey said that to impose this in-come-tax on small incomes was to sen- ■ to nee persons who had done no wrong to. a life of obscurity and penury. He hoped ' they would agree to tho resolution. ! Mr. Saunders opposed the motion, doscribing it as a hunt for popularity. Mr. Hall said the resolution on tho subject of the 10 per cent, reduction was : quite explicit. It was to apply to all salaries and wages. What tho Government p understood by the resolution was that thoy : should place these wages and salaries on a, 1 par with tho. outside labor market. Th& 5 amount paid as salaries and wages under- ' L2OO amounted to over L 600,000, and theGovernment could not afford to disponso, with the proposed reduction. He hoped. J the motion would not be carried. Mr. Moorhouse said the circumstances : of the Colony justified at least a third of the civil servants' dismissal. To do so would entail a groat amount of misery. ' What he would suggest, and it was a 3 strictly commercial transaction, was that these men should be put on half-pay. Ho 3 was opposed to the motion. 1 After considerable discussion, Mr. ' Speight moved the adjournment of the, ■ House, so as to enable members to roply to aspersions cast on them by the Go- : vernment in the statement that this motion " was a mere attempt at courting cheap. popularity. 1 Mr. Shrimski seconded tho motion for 1 adjournment. 3 Mr. Hutchison designated the state--3 ment made by the Premier as obsolutely 1 untrue. He had introduced the motion " from a sense of duty, and yet the Premier 1 had said that he was in search of cheap 3 popularity. fc August 28. Mr. Hutchison's amendment was pnfc j and lost. Ayes, 21; noes, 32. j The House then went into Committeo * of Supply. 3 Class 1, legislative, Ll4O. Item, Clerk of Legislative Council (addition to per--5 manent salary) LOO. Mr. Pyke moved. 3 that progress be reported. The motion * was lost. Ayes, 5 ; noes, 49. The cjues- * tion proposed that the item be struck out. 1 Ayes, 25 ; noes, 27. It was proposed to. 3 reduce the item by L4O. Ayos, S2 1 ; noes* r 27. Class 2, Colonial Secretary, Audit * Office, L 8450. Passed. Agent Generals Department, L4OOO. " Mr. Reader Wood proposed that tho vote be reduced by LIOOO. After discussion,. " the question was put that tho vote bo ® reduced. Ayes, 27 ; noes, 23. * In reply to Mr. Swanson, Mr. Hall ' said the reduction was one of so great * importance that the Government would have to consider carefully what they would 1 do in the ciroumstances. 3 In reply to Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Hall * said that tho reduction in this case would > be in|addition to tho 10 per cent. Mr. Sheehan protested againßt the rc--1 duction. The persons who had voted 3 against Sir Julius Yogel three or four years ago had worshipped him, and said ho * was the salvation of the Colony. He had ' done good service to the Colony (Cries of * "No.") He (Mr. Sheehan) said " Yos." 3 There were men now voting against hint 3 who five years ago sworo by him. Ho * (Mr. Sheehan) would not be a party to. jump upon a man because he was outside* v the House. Those that drank his chatn--3 pagne and ate his dinners were now the men to jump on him. If he came in at. t that door he could imagine that thoir tuna would be very different. With all his. : faults he did good work. Thoy wanted# ' first-class man in London, and tho pro- > vision they .had mado would not socuro ' the services of such a man. Thoro wero " men voting against him who but for Sir Julius Yogel would never have been 1 known, 1 The vote, as reduoed, was then passedl Vote, Miscellaneous Services, LILSDOi 1 15s Id. ' Mr. Macandrew moved that th®. item, ' Expenses of Printing Transaction of tho, New Zealand Institute, be struckout. Lost on tho voices. 1 Mr. Why to moved thai the item Expenses of printing work on the Coleoptra 1 of New Zealand, L 348 12s, be struck out. —The amendment was not pressed. Mr. Seddon moved that the item 80-1 1 tanical Gardens (four months), LSOO, bo; struck out.—Not pressed. Mr. Dick proposed to reduce tho item Local Industries, LGSO, by LCo.—Agreed to. At 4.30 Mr. Seymour left the chains and it was taken by Mr. Kelly. Mr. Pyke, on the vote PubSt'dßuildings, Class 11, objected to the item Furniture and Fittings for Wellington Hospital, ( LISOO. Mr. George said it was very plain, fto'M the sta,to of affairs that it would W cpita impossible to go on with thQ \tf-ork. ! therefore moved to report progress, The House divided, 8, * nooa, 3A Sir George Grey mo.ved th&t tho Chairman leave the o.hair. wa,s evident that at least ono member was not fit to bo there, It was, a disgrace to the New Zealand Legislature that large sums of money should be voted in this way. Mr. Reeves was surprised to hoar tho remarks from the hon. member. He could not be aware of what he was, talking about. Sir George Grey said it was a fact that such conduct had been going on as showed that members wore not in a fit state to vote away large sums of money. Thoy had worked for 18 hours. Mr. Hall said there was one member certainly that was not in a fit state, but there was no reason for saying the House was not in a fit state to go on. He objected to adjourn. • , Mr. Pyke • said he had not obstructed the business. He was inclined to say that the Promier had been guilty of impudence. Ho asked a question honestly, and he had a right to ask the question. He had waited there the whole night, and he intended to remain until this vote had been struck out. Ho would no|be told by the Premier that he was trifling with or obstructing the House, i . ■ The motion for leavitjg the Chair was put and negatived on the voices. Mr. Pyke moved thai the item LloW for Wellington Hospital be struck out— Aves, 17; noes, 28. L , SirG. Grey said that; it was absolutely necessary to report ©rogress. It was evident there were who wero no* in a fit state to go ou,//

r T Fisher hoped they would not ? e tW' a nntil -' [ont ' aj "' Vr London »id there was every proJ!t'c fa 'l uarn;l if tileJ " attemp S ° fiD *r fT"lI 'aid it was disgraceful that f nth* «f the members should be tLw'siirpJv to please .me or two. Ie? 'o or three members were simply to obstruct the business. ® e TB-motion for was ml negatived on the voices. farther discussion, the vote was other votes were discussed 3 °ttis, Sir CJeTge Cirev, insisting t the Houso w:w not in a tit state to to** i w [th the business. moved tii.-it the Ctteo n'P"rt progress. A div.sion Sw * th >: r """ j:t!g ne; - auved [>y the .attention of the • „hi the fact that the member for .as ir^ut .t House, had not recoruecl his vote, "itabein" wakened up .and challenged. j[ r Sodden said he voted against Mr. Pvke insisted that the vote had been • niarly recorded, and in defiance of orilfts from the Chair to resume • ' ,r neraisted in standing-, and proMSSS *.««•»« mwhici, th, h. had' been recorded, i scene of disorder cnsnect, "• Tat' which ttie remarks of both Actingg£» »'l ». W.««. - "udible in the gallery. Mr. Pyfce was mlerstood to say that he insisted upon ? rhiirman leaving the chair and reran"' what ha ' l transpired to the 1° -tpr Amidst the utmost possible and disorder, the Chairman r ft the chair, and on the House resuming, I,' re n»rted to the Speaker that the hon. mber for Dunstan had been guilty of •Lnleclv conduct and insubordination, - vtinioli as that he had refused to regime h' 3 3eat in Committee after having L a repeatedly called upon to do so. The Speaker said he would take cogninci3 0 f the report, .and called upon the ember for Dunstan to afford the House ® explanation and apology. }lr. Fyke, who was indistinctly heard the confusion and uproar that nsueJ, was understood to offer some exBfcuiation or justification of his conduct. Ths Speaker (interrupting him) : It has fceen reported to me by the Chairman of Committees that the member for Dunstan feaa been guilty of disorderly conduct, he Being a member of this House, while the House was sitting, and I now cull upon Jim to make an explanation and apology, for so doing. _ 3fr. Pyke again assayed to speak, ana, although he appeared to speak vehemently, his voice was drowned amidst the cries of " apologise," " withdraw," uproar, and general confusion. The Speaker : I have again to aak the member for Dunstan (Mr. Vincent Pyke) if he is prepared to offer an apology for the conduct of which he has been guilty in. Committee, and which has been reported to me by the Chairman of Committees. 3lr. Pyke : Then I say. J*o. I did net apologise. I have nothing to apologise for. The Speaker: Tnen, in that case, the member having been duly challenged, and Jarir.;' refused to apologise fnr his conduct in Committee, I direct that he wii: at once leave the Chamber. 3tr. Pyke then rose, and in withdrawing ejaculated in a lond voice something which sounded like a note of defiance. After he had withdrawn, Mr. Hall said that they must ail regret and deplore the pmifulscene which had just been enacted. The conduct of this House had been outraged anil its authority set at defiance. To him it was a matter for deep regret, j and he had not the least doubt but that ail present shared with him in that regret. Theymnst, however, bear in mind that they had a duty to discharge both to themselves and to the country, and tha' duty coaid not be discharged unless they took cognisance of the conduct which had jiist now been enacted. He would move that this House, having taken into consideration the insulting and disorderly conduct manifested by the member for Dunstan towards a Committee of the House and its Chairman, and the fact that when challenged by Mr. Speaker, in pursuance of hi 3 authority, he refused to apologise, therefore, this House expresses its disapprobation, and censures Mr. Pyke for the same. Ia the conrse of a very animated discussion which ensued on the motion, the attention of the Speaker wa3 called to the fact that 31 r. Pyke had taken up*his position in the importers' Gallery. The Speaker : Do I understand that the Bun. member for Dunstan who has just leen ordered to Jteave the Chamber is itill present in some portion of it I Mr. Andrews : He is still present in the Exporters Gallervv

cent-.

The Speaker r Sercreani-at-Arms, you Till proceed to the Gailery of this House, and if yon find the hon. member for Dtinatan there you will direct him to leave directions from the Speaker. Ir> due coarse that functionary made iia appearance in the Press Gallery, and frcwding to the extreme end of it, stere Mr. Pyfce was seated busily emplayed tracing hieroglyphics on a sheet of foolscap paper, tapped Mr. Pyke gently en the shoulder, when the latter, looking ®p with. some surprise and considerable 'nidation, demanded to know what he meant by assaulting him while he (Mr. Pj«) was in the execution of his duty. Tne Sergeant having delivered the messaes given to him by the Speaker, Pyke replied as follows :—l'll not Keep yonr hands off me, sir, or I'll we yon brought up before the court for an assault. Stand out of this. lam repcttinjr for a newspaper. lam reporter tf>r the Association. Get out of-_this, or lii have you up for assaulting me. The Sergeant having withdrawn, and rc-torted to the Speaker the state of affiiirs w ths cillery, he was directed by the speaker to proceed to the gallery and, if Seeds be, have Mr. Pyke removed by force. The Sergeant paid a second visit "ne gallery, with, on this occasion, his Great coat buttoned to the throat, his r f t!:r,n^3 tur tted up, and two attendants hteh. The aspect of affairs was so *ef}- aiarciing that the only other occup'R's of the gallery—two drowsy-looking reporters-—deemed it prudent '? ' :i ke back seats. On being again kinged, Mr. Pyke, who was still "3"V employed tracing what appeared to * a Serio-comic sketch of Mr. Speaker fcia robes, with an equally whimsical r fc.iori:atioii of Cabinet Ministers in •3'ia.biile, protested that this was an interference with the "''trties of the Ptess, and that he ■was a w 3paper reporter, on this occasion reJorting for the Otngo Daily Times. s . Sergeant: Come away, 31 r. Pyke, J* oon t make ad a fool of yourself. a j r r - Pyke; Take your hands oil me, * How dare you come here and ir.ter»f't *i th me " have yoa punished uti the utmost rigor of the law for auutcg me in the execution of bit caty.

juncture the Sergeant applied fpcf j or - CC ' wheiMr - Pykero3eto his t- an ' faciD ? 3 antagonist, took a '-r me survey of hin from head to foot. era) 6ll j e ? e m the buttoned-np in t^ an • wristbands, hi appeared to take fnF+t, e sltna: * on a t a and withou anr? *f- r res ' stance folltwed the Sergean j-.t ■ l3 a "endant3 dowistairs. On again jl Ic 2 appearance on the floor of the at I* 6 * Sergeant reported that he had wi*S£ defcti ° s Mr ' Pj ' ke ahimated debate then ensaed on the ttotaon tabled by Mr. HaE, which resulted • -tyke being callec in, when the

Speaker again called upon him to apologise for hi 3 conduct in Committee. Mr. Pyke replied that he did not know what he had to apologise for. In calling the attention of the Chairman to the fact that Mr. Seddon had not voted, lie had simply discharged a duty he owed to the House and the constituency by whom he had been sent there. If there was an}*one to be blamed, it was not him ; it was the Chairman who persistently called upon him to sit down when he was calling attention to the above-named fact,

The Speaker : I tinrl that you are still unwilling to apoloni.se for your conduct. I have the power, if you remain refractory, either to order you into the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms or else to impose a tine upon you to the est lit of LoO.

Mr. Pyke : T decline to apologise for an offence of which I r.m perfectly inno-

The Pr r :n';or : Then ynu will retire. Mr. Pyke then left the Chamber. Mr. Sheehan said he blamed the Government very much for what had taken place. They had kept members there for clo3e on 24 hours, and it was not to be wondered at that disorder and irregularity arose. Mr. Tole said Mr. Pyke told him he did not mean any disrespect to the House, and all he intended. to do was assert what he considered to be his privilege. He thought they should be satisfied with that and allow the subject to drop. He tabled a motion to the effect that the House take no further notice of the matter. Mr. Hall said he had listened with the ntmost attention to what had been said by Mr. Pyke, and he had not heard a single word that could possibly be construed into an expression of regret or apology. He regretted the circumstance as much as any one could do, but he had no alternative left but to insist upon the vote of censure.

Mr. Seddon, after detailing the circumstances under which he recorded hi 3 vote, said that when the hon. member for the Dunstan was ordered to sit down there was a great noise in the House, members calling out "chair," "sit down." and making all manner of noises. It was quite possible that the member for Dunstan did not hear the orders given to him bv* the Chairman.

Mr. Peeves said the member for Dunstan was quite right not to apologise, and he was glad to see he was determined to tight out to the bitter end. It was not the member for Dunscan that was to blame, but the Chairman. He was the only man to be blamed under the circumstance. He had occasioned the whole of the trouble.

The Speaker : I cannot allow you to censure the Chairman of Committees. Yon must confine yourself to the member for Dunstan.

Mr. Reeves : Then I have nothing more to 3,1 V.

Eventually it was agreed that the matter should be allowed to stand over, and that the debate should be resumed at 7.30 to-night. The House rose at 5.30 this morning.