PARLIAMENTARY.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Sept 1. The House continued sitting from half-past two on Wednesday, and at half-past seven this evening, Mr Hurst house resumed the debate, and spoke for half an hour. Sir George Grey then spoke on general questions of the land laws and electoral rights. Ho was proceeding to speak on the pensions questions when The Chairman ruled him out of order in referring to that subject. Sir George reported that this was oppression, Freedom of speech was denied him, and he would sit down, but protested against the Chairman’s tyranny.
Mr Swanson defended the property vote, contending that all the liberal measures they had was the result of legislation passed in virtue of the existing franchise. Referring to remarks made on a previous occasion in allusion to the writings of Carlyle, wherein the writer makes reference to the blessings of honest poverty, Mr Swanson said there was a great deal of sentimental trash said and written on the subject, but his experiences was that every man was more anxious than another to get quit of it and acquire for himself an independence. Sir George Grey said lie did not think it desirable for him to mix with Mr Swanson in political matters, ns Mr Swanson was a man of property, and had a compact in his pocket, making him either one of the Government, or master of the Government. Mr Swanson’s whole speech was in favor of the influence of wealth, and of rendering it impossible for the poor man to acquire property. He himself was opposed to any other franchise than the manhood one, hut if the freehold one was to be maintained he thought the evil might be mitigated by the leasehold franchise being allowed. Mr Rolleston replied to the remarks made by Sir George Grey in reference to the Chairman, and hoped the House would uphold the dignity of the Chair. He cared little for the speeches of Sir George Grey, they fell harmless upon him ; but some of Sir George Grey’s remarks were contemptible. He (Mr Rolleston), however, would never sit still and hear the Chairman spoken of as Sir George Grey had spoken of him. From a long experience of Sir George Grey he knew he was utterly insensible to shame ;nd decency, and bad not a spark of generosity or patriotism about him, nor had he one of those qualities which the House could respect. Sept. 2,
At 1.30 tliis morning Major Atkinson called attention to Mr Reeves’ threat to speak till 8 o’clock.
A discussion followed as to whether the business of the Committee was being conducted in “an orderly manner,” in the course of which Messrs Sheehan, •Whitaker, Seddon, and Turnbull took part. The Chairman (Mr Seymour) ruled that the disorder did not go far enough to warrant him in putting a stop to the carrying on of the debate by Mr Reeves,
Major Atkinson quoted from “ May ” the words “ nor use the rules of the House in order to obstruct public business,” and asked the ruling of the Chairman as to whether they did not apply prohibitively to the tactics of the Opposition. After discussion, the Chairman ruled that it was not competent for him to put a limit to any period during which a member might choose to speak. At Mr Sheehan’s instance, the ques tion arore as to whether a DeputyChairman nominated by a Chairman of Committees, on vacating the chair, should carry out the rulings of the chair irrespective of his own opinions. Mr Seymour replied that he should do so, and "that each successive DeputyChairman should carry out what he he believed would be the rulings of the permanent Chairman of Committees. Mr Beeves moved that the Chairman leave the Chair.
Ayes 7, Noes 24. Mr Hamlin, on the nomination of Mr Seymdnr, took the chair. Mr Seddon moved that progress be reported. He commenced speaking at 1.45 a.m., and spoke until 3.29. when a division took place. Ayes 4, Noes 23. Mr Seddon then moved that the Chairman do leave the chair. Bosuming his review of the Westland
electoral roll, after reading one name, the Chairman, Colonel Trimb'e (who had relieved Mr Hamlin) ruled that Mr Seddon was out of order. Mr Seddon quoted Mr Seymour’s ruling, The Chairman, maintained that his ruling was correct. Mr Seddon amid cries of “Order,” protested against being “ sat upon.” The Chairman appealed, and Mr Seddon apologised wonically, and pro ceeded without further reference to the roll, basing his remarks on the schedules.
At 4.40 the Committee divided on the question that progress be reported. Ayes, 3 ; Noes, 24; Mr Seddon then moved that the Chairman leave the chair. Mr Fisher asked if Mr Seddon was in order, and the Chairman explained that he felt bis hands tied by the ruling of Mr Seymour, but he would take the earliest opportunity, should he again occupy the chair, to exercise his own judgment, and do his best to get the Committee out of the difhculty in which it was.
Several motions that the Chairman do leave the chair, and that progress be reported, were moved, and in each case negatived. At this stage the Chairman intimated that if the Opposition pursued its present course, he would have “ a painful duty to perform.” Sbortly before this the Sergeant-at-Arm«, who was at the moment in another part of the House, was sent for by the Chairman.
Mr Shepherd followed and spoke until 7.15, when the question was put to report progress. Ayes 3 ; noes, 2G. Mr Gibbs followed.
At 8.20 a.tn., Mr Bryce took the chair and at once told Mr Gibbs that he must keep his remarks to bear on the Representation Bill. The .House is still sitting.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2637, 2 September 1881, Page 2
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961PARLIAMENTARY. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2637, 2 September 1881, Page 2
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