A SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5148, 5 October 1895, Page 3

A SCENE IN PARLIAMENT.

CAPTAIN RUSSELL AND THE MINISTER OF LANDS.

ify Teltgr«pk—Om Correspondent. Wellixotox, Friday afternoon.

A scoiio of an extraordinary character lias just taken place in tho House of Representatives, Captain Russell gavo notice of a question to tho Minister of Lands, asking him by what authority ho had stated during tho debate on the Land for Settlement Amendnientßill, that if the Government was again accused of having brought the Bank of Now Zealand into a had position, he would let the Colony know whose overdraft had been wiped out. He would ask whether these remarks were intended to apply to members of the Opposition ; if so, to whom and whether he (Captain Russell) was included, and whether the Minister was in a position to divulge matters concerning the Bank and its clients that were supposed to be inviolable ? The Minister at once took exception to the question, and tho Speaker ruled that as it contained debatable matter, it was inadmissablo. Captain Russell contended that a question of privilege was involved, but the Speaker promptly ruled that, no exception having been taken to the Minister's remarks when uttered, the question could not now bo raised, Captain Russell thereupon proceeded to quote May and other authorities, saying that members were intimidated.

The Speaker interrupting him again said there was no question of privilege. Sir Robert Stout wished to argue tho point,but was resolutely informed that tho Speaker's ruling must not be disputed. Captain Russell rose and asked to be allowed to proceed with his authorities,

The Speaker said the business must proceed, and ordered him to sit down.

Captain Russell remained standing, and cries of" Chair" resounded from the member for Napitir.

Clnthii Mclvenzie challenged the Speaker's ruling, and was promptly squelched. As the Leader of the Opposition continued on his legs, the Speaker in solemn and impressive tones, said, " Unless the member obeys the Chair and sits down, I will be compelled to name him, and ' I will have no allernative but to call upon the members who support the Chair, to suspend him." The features of Captain Russell began to move spasmodically, and evidently there was terrible mental struggle going on, but eventually he sat down an:! the scene collapsed. The firmness of the Speaker is now the subject of general comment.