Opinions on a Late Event.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3960, 7 September 1881, Page 3

Opinions on a Late Event.

Tbe Lyttclton Times says :—"Trying times make or mar reputation. The effect of the late trying time of obstruction has been to show very conclusively that Sir G. M. O'Rorke is, as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, (he right man in the right place. Not only has he complete command over the Honse in its fiercest moods, but he has an unswerving firmness, a sense of justice* above all considerations, and a remarkable power of lnnguape appropriate to every situation weich is possible in the range of his duties. It is difficult to select any portion of bis conduct on Friday night for special admiration above the rest. The resolution with which be kept the House rigidly to the question, the firmness with which he closed every loophole by which the penalty might have been escaped, the clear sense of justice which would not be obscured by the position and services of the member whose conduct was in question, the dignified and wise remarks he addressed to that member, and subsequently to the House, all these are worthy of the greatest praise. The Chairman of Committee lias likewise come well-out of the ordeal. His was the ruling which brought the stonewalling to a state of weariness.' He did not succeed in killing the monster with a single blow; he rather fastened a grip on its throat, until the creature fainted for want of breath." The Herald (Auckland) :— If the object of the election of Parliamentary representatives by the constituencies be to give them the right of debating public business by the mouthpiece wliom they select, then any curtailment of his right of free speech is a curtailment of the rights of those who sent him to Parliament. Mr Gisborne was the exponent of tbe views of those whom be represents when he was gagged by the Chairman of Committees, nnd thus the coostituency was gagged. Any attack upon the privileges of members is an attack upon the constituencies represented by those members, and thus the conduct of the Chairman of Committees, who silenced him by an abuse of power, and silenced other members by tbe same rulingj was an invasion of the rights of those they represent. The question, therefore, which is raised by tbe proceedings of the Chairman, the Speaker, and the tyrannical majority which set the seal to their offence has a much larger effect than is to be found within the walls of Parliament. <;■:.. '