SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3898, 28 August 1891, Page 3

SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

A Serious Charge*

Tie Galleries Cleared.

The Speaker took the chair at 2.30. The Hon Mr Richardson rose to a question of privilege. At an early hour this morning, he said, a matter took place, which he could not allow to pasß, in the discussion on the Land Bill. Certain things were alleged against himself; a serious charge had been made against him at an early stage of the session in reference to himself, and the Minister's observations last night implied that he knew of certain things which would be to his (Mr Richardson's) discredit. He now challenged him either to with - draw that statement or support it. The words were reiterated last night, and were as to Buns 28 and 28a, and 228 and 228 a, to the effect that if certain secrets were disclosed in reference thereto they would be to his (Mr ilichardson's) discredit, and also that the Hon Robert Campbell had stated that he had squared the late Minister of Lands. If he had done such a thing he was unfit to be in the House, and if the Minister of Lands bad made a false charge he was unfit to be in the House. There was one member too many in the House, and he wished it to be decided which it was. He wished a committee of the House to investigate that charge, seeing that the matter was too serious to be left unnoticed. He moved a resolution affirming that the matter affected the honour of the House, and that a committee of five members be appointed to enquire into the charge and tfeport within seven days. The Minister of Lands said the

words had been withdrawn last night, and he therefore asked whether this be a question of privilege. Hon Mr Rolleston remarked that the words had been •withdrawn, but the Minister of Lands bad said the words were uttered all the same.

The Premier said it was necessary

. that the words should be taken down at the time, in order to constitute a -«=«*j£s^|Lprivilege. of Public Works asßetTwhat more the hon gentleman could waDt than the withdrawal of the words complained of, which was » done at the time ? The better course would -be for him to accept that withdrawal. The Hon Mr Bryce said it was not a question of withdrawal, it was a question of a disgraeeful charge, and the mere withdrawal of the words, the charge still being considered true, did not alter the position at all. This was a matter that ought to be settled. t The Premier contended that as the words were not taken down at the ime the hon gentleman could not bring this forward as a question of privilege, but must give notice of the appointment of the Committee. The Minister of Lands did not shrink from the question, but they required notice

to be given. The Hon Mr Rolleston said this was a charge against au honorable member, and it was a question of urgency, and should be settled as soon as possible. The Minister of Education said a simitar Charge had been made two years ago, when it was stated that the Hon Robert Campbell had come np to Wellington in connection with gome land, and said be had got all he

wanted from the Government. Therefore this matter could be brought up again as a question of privilege. Mr Buckland said that at that time there were only vague statements, and no distinct charges made The Speaker said the Hon Mr Richardson could press for a Committeee to be set up to enquire into the statement as to the runs, but as to the other charge, thai; hsd been withdrawn, and no resolution could be made on it. When words were withdrawn they were considerd technically not to have been made at all. If the Hon gentleman was willing to omit that portion of his resolution hfc would put the motion, otherwise notice would have to be given of it. The Premier argued that there was therefore no question of privilege before the House.

The Hon Mr Bryce said they had now got into a very curious position. His hon friend had been debarred from going on in reference to a charge made against him last night, and was invited to proceed with a charge made two months ago. It was absurd for the Minister of Lands to pretend that he had withdrawn a charge when he had only done so as a mere formality and now repeated it.

The Premier: Ue is disputing your ruling, Mr Speaker. The Hon Mr Bryce : The Hon the Premier ought to be ashamed. (Uproar). The Premier demanded the withdrawal of those words, which he said the hon gentleman had no right to make.

The Hon Mr Bryce refused to withdraw them, and he said he would take the consequences. At this point the Speaker ordered the galleries to be cleared, the last heard being a motion by the Premier that the words were objected to be taken down.

The House which sat with closed doors, adjourned at 5.30 as usual. — Times.