Last Right's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3606, 17 July 1880, Page 2

Last Right's Sitting.

Sir George Grey said the bill fidl--kted; erery principle of law. It was a penal statute, a bill attainder, inflicting injuries upon people, the majority of whom are innocent., He said the name of every individual in prison who required to be restrained from liberty should have been included in the schedule of the bill, and legislation disgraced by the passing of such' a measure. The Governor ought not assent to the measure. It was Opt part of the Governor's duty to jrefuse trial and pardon to innocent men. At this point Sir George Grey said he would continue his speech when thi Premier was attending to him, instead of correcting Hansard proofs.—Sir George Grey remained standing silent.—A number of members rose to points of order, but the Speaker said that he had no power to compel Sir George Grey to proceed, and that while Sir George Grey remained standing he was v in possession of the House.—Sir George Grey said that in discharging his duty to the native race he would stand there till morning if he did not receive proper attention from thft Government.—After a con* siderable period, a chair was obtained, and arranged so as to support Sir George Grey in a standing position.— All kind? of proposals were made as Sir George stood silent, but the Speaker ruled them out of order.—Mr Reader Wood quoted a House of Commons precedent, where a member stood silent for four hours.—Major Atkinson said Mr Hall had been attending carefully to Sir George Grey and taking notes.—After a most extraordinary scene, the speaker left the chair for half an hour.—On resuming, Sir George Grey briefly pro* tested against the bill, say in v he was willing to give the Government any powers necessary to preserve the peace of the colony, but not the 1 enormous unconstitutional powers asked for. This day. PXACE PBISSBVATION BILL! - ' Tawhai, after referring to his resigua--1 tion re the West Coast Commission, because Sir D. Bell and Sir W. Fox were i responsible for the last troubles, declared that the conduct of the Government was calculated to force the whole of the native race into rebellion. Despite their boasted bold policy the Government were afraid to let 130 men return to where were $90 soldiers. , ' , * . Sir W. Fox said he had been at the head of the " Peace at any price party." Neither he nor tiir D.'BelJ were responsible for any past wars. As to the Bill being unconstitutional it was not nearly so severe as the Acts passed whije Sir G. Grey was Governor. „ ..' Mr Sheehan believed the , bill to be in accordance with, the policy of the late Government, and would heartily, support it when the prisoners were released. It should however be after a due trial. At present their detention was necessary in their own interest, that of peace and if the Colony were to let them lose now it meant war, for Te Whiti was by no means so very anxious for peace. Mr DeLauiour and Mr Wood strongly opposed the bill. Major Atkinson declared the release of the prisoners now? meant war, and if the Bill was not passed he would not remain another hour in office. '

Mr Moss. opposed and Mr Trimble supported the Bill. * j Mr Hall moved the adjournment of the! debate, and the House rose at 1.30. ;