GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1662, 19 November 1887, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tho Council mot at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Speaker announced the death that clay of tiio Hon. John Johnston.—Sir Frederick Whitaker moved tho adjournment. of tii i Council out of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman, and this «’;»« sgreed to. Go Thursday A number of petitions were presented. A .'elect Committee was appointed to report on the best method of promoting the dairy export, trade of tho colony. The deb its on S r Frederick Whitaker’s motion relative to reform of the Council, was resumed. Sir Frederick Whitaker withdrew his motion in favour of an amendment by Mr Mantel!--“That a Select Committee to consider the subject should be appointed by ballot,” which was carried. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr Seddon moved that the Hawkers and Pedlars Bill bo discharged from the Order Paper with a view of substituting the Chinese Influx Prevention Bill.—The motion was agreed to, but leave was refused to substitute the Chinese bill. The Premier moved that the House adjourn till 7.39 p.m, that evening. He had not soon his way clearly as to what lecomnendalion to make with regard to the question of privilege, and he hoped that the House would agree to an extension of time. By that time ho hoped they might have arrived at a satisfactory conclusion. After some debate the Speaker said he first noticed the question on the paper on Saturday morning, and wondered what it referred to. He noticed it again on Tuesday, but thought if there had been anything offensive in it tho Clerk of the House would have drawn his attention to it. Had lie known that it contained such a personal reflection on a member of the House he would have required its modification or withdrawal. In reply to Mr Scobie Mackenzie, the Speaker said the question could not be considered as otherwise than of an offensive nature. Mr R. Thompson (Marsdon) said in putting the quasi ion he had not tho slighest idea of anything personal in reference to Sir Julius Vogel. His object was to ascertain whether there was any truth in the rumors lie had heard about the street that Sir Julius Vogel had retained in bis service two public servants since his resignation. He was perfectly justified in putting the question He did not at all intend to refer to Sir Julius Vogel’s \infirmity. He had that day been to Government Buildings and made enquiries, and the result was that he found that it was only since his notice had been put on the Order Paper that any action had been . taken. • The Speaker said that these remarks would be more properly made when Sir Julius Vogel was in the House, Mr Leveatam asked whether it was incumbent on Mr Thompson, after the Speaker ruling that the question was of an offensive nature, to apologise to the House, and to the member insulted. The Spaakt-r did not reply. The question was then pat and carried, and tho House adj nuned till 7.30. On resuming, Mr Jt. Ricnardson said he had been asked to explain, on behalf of Sir Julius Vogel, that be had applied to the Government almost immediately after their taking office to be allowed to retain the spivices of the orderly, he paying the ordory’w wages. Major Atkinson had courteously replied in the affirmative. As to tho messenger, Sir Julius Vogel had informe l the Government snme days before Mr Tnompson’s question was put, on the Order Paper that be did not wish to retain his services. Mr Thompson said he had applied that morning at the Defence Office, afld had been told by the Minister that no intimation had been received from Sir Julius Vog-il until the previous day. The Premier said he was afraid there was a misunderstanding som where. Sir Julius Vogel had mentioned the matter to the Government immediately after they took office, and he bad answarsd that ho would give th« honorable gentleman every convenience lie properly could. After some further debate, on the Orders of thn Day being called on, the Premier said he had been endeavouring to arrange matters on the question of privilege, but regretted to say that he had failed. He proposed to withdraw his motion “ That Sir Julius Yogei be called upon to apologise for the words used when Mr Speaker named him, and that he be

admonished by Mr Speaker for the use of such language,” and to substitute “T this House regrets that the member {jiT Chrislchureh North should by his conduct have rendered it necessary for the Speaker to name him,” Ho thought this was a moderate and reasonable course, and%--would be sufficient to meet the case. ' Mr Seddon declined to withdraw his amendment calling for the Hansard report of the words used, and the original motion was therefore put and negatived on the voices. The Hon. Mr Fisher moved the second resolution proposed by the Premier as a further amendment. Some debate took place ns to the exact words used by Sir Julius Vogel, and Mr Reeves (Lnangahua) moved that in naming Sir Julius Vogel the Speaker exceeded bis power, but this, with oue or two other amendments, was lost, and the Hon. Mr Fisher’s motion carried by 45 to 30, Sir Julius Vogel was sent for, and on appearing in the House the Speaker informed him of the terms of the resolution just carried. Sir Julius Vogel said he was willing to withdraw his remarks as not suitable at the time they were uttered, but if his words had been taken down ha ventured to suy there would not have been a dozsa members who considered them reprehensible. What passed afterwards was more of the nature of a squabble between himself nnd the Speaker. The resolution just read was so mild in character and doubtful of interpretation, compared with that originally proposed, that he had no reason to complain and little to regret. " He proceeded to contest the legality oiW the Speaker’s procedure under the 138th clause of the Standing Orders, Without overstraining the matter he considered that he had been treated in a most injurious manner, and he con'd not let it drop at that stage. The House had condoned the matter in o'der to jive the Speaker satisfaction. Ha did not grudge the satisfaction he might have derived from the resolution. He proposed to challenge the Speaker’s proceedings on five or six points, but in as respectful a manner as possible and in a way that might bo most convenient to the SpeakQ If this could not be done ho felt liberties of the House would be After adverting to many acts of kindness to him by members on both sides during the last three years, he concluded by moving the adjournment, which was agreed to, and the House rose atT2,3O. On Thursday, Mr Moss gave notice to ask whether Government would during the recess appoint a Royal Commission to report on the best means of protecting local industries. Replying to questions, it was stated that Government could not introduce a Public Advances on Land Bill this session ; that there was no intention to alter the ’ route of the Main North Trunk Railway, but no further contracts would be let until after the delivery of the Public Works Statement ; that the show of hands at nominations was useless, and a provision would bo made, when dealing with the electoral laws, for doing away with it; that a Bill would be introduced to legalise certain expenditure by 1 municipal bodies where rightly incurred, 1 and to provide against future cases; that T the Government Life Insurance Department had not refused to make further adv.ipcea by way of loan on mortgage; that if necessary further legislation would be introduced to abolish or modify the landlord’s right of distress. Sir Julius Vogel asked the Premier what opportunity he would afford him to move resolutions with reference to tho question of the Speaker’s ruling, which he referred to last night. , The Premier said he was not in a post- , tion to reply at present. Sir Julius Vogel then said he should give notice to move fhe resolutions on going into Committee of Supply, and if any subsequent arrangements were made they could bo taken off the Order Paper. He then gave notice of the rcsilu'ions referring to tho Speaker’s ruling, which he had enumerated previously. The p-iuts were these He would ask the opinion of the House whether the words *■ of knowledge of the world, of men .nd i manners'’ woie a disorderly expression ; ho would also ask whether the House concurred in the ruling that the expression “ obvious want of knowledge of the usages amongst persona who have been accustomed to mix with good society” was orderly; then he would ask the Elouso to allow him to propose a revolution to tho effect that Standing Order 393 j( should be amended so that the Speaker should not, without the wish of the House expressed by vote without debate, have power to clear the galleries of strangers ; he would also ask the House to express an opinion that it is irregular to allow a resolution to bo put about wo’ds uttered by an honorable member unless these words are taken down in accordance with the provisions of (he Standmg Orders; another point he should raise was this, that the Speaker had •x----ceedod his power in naming him, and he would further raise the point that the Speaker had exceeded his power in ordering him out of the House'. Mr Monk brought up a question of retiring allowance made to a young man named Lewis, recently a clerk in the Native Department, who, on account of ill heal th had b‘en recommended to a warmer climate, but had got another appointment before he left. Mr Billaiica and the Hon. Mr Mitohelson vigorously replied to the eff.ct that there was nothing wrong in the allowance, and Me Monk expressed his regret if he had done wrong in bringing it before the House. The discussion on the third reading of the Wsnganui Harbor Bill lastsd till the 5.80 adjournment. On the H >use resuming Mr Samuel moved the second reading I of the Divorce Extencion Bill. He »poK© strongly in favor of its provisions, which enacted the followifllg grounds for divorce Desertion, habitual drunkenness coup’ed with neglect or cruelty, conviction or imprisonment for a crime, vio.ent assault, adultery, and incurable insanity.—The second reading . was carried on a division by 40 ’o 17. / Major Steward's Ifiducationai Vote BIT* lestrictmg householder* to one vote at J election of school committees, passed its second reading by 40 to 16. The Otago Central Railway Extension and Constinotion B 11, providing for the construction of the railway by of land grants, passed its second re ding. The House rose at 12,35 n,m,