OUR BEAR GARDEN.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 818, 13 September 1877, Page 2

OUR BEAR GARDEN.

The Wellington 'Argus' administers to the House of Representatives the following well-deserved rebuke : — " Animated by a hatred of irreverence we propose to show how gravely the pharisaical professions of the House of Representatives are at variance with its now too flagrant practice. We liave very little of the fear of privilege before our eyes, for viewing the language, the direct &u<3 iwyliecV qUmsqb, tlie tpssjca

about of that- objeotidhable monosyllable, which some members seem to roll, under their tongue like, a sweet morsel j . .. and, s looking generally at the aspestof the Hbuse, we think it impossibtei^p any journalist, with a modicum of self-respect, to write below the level to which the House of Representatives has descended. Ho w h after, the interchange of compliments, the; systematic, personal attacks, the wild accusations, the charging of MinisWrs^-as Sir , George^Gtrey 4id $iep othjar night-^ of heing guilty of *hifirh Crimes and misdemeanours ;' : how,, after all this, members who submit" toi.it have the daring to to talk of pnyilegejis surprising. No sound jiiras either from the Speaker's chair, pr from the Ministerial Benches, or from the House ' itself. Is this Parliamentary language ? Oan any member rise m his place, and accuse bis fellow members of absolute crimes, and do this: with impunity, unchecked by the Speaker ? If so, where is this tb end ? disorder and contempt which for a time overwhelmed the Tasmanian Parliament must inevitably overtake what 'was once the model Parliament of the Australasian CQlpnies. If Minis-, ters or any of them .have been guilty, of high crimes and misdemeanours, why are they ■' otf the Ministerial Bench? If^theyarernot, why are snch accusations permitted to pass unchallenged J Yet.i Our brilliant legislators can talk of their 'dignity' and their privilege. The privilege to malign, the dignity to endure it ! If we were to say that, m addition to these charming attributes, there dwells m the House ahypocrisy which is monstrous — to observe that, probably, would be a breach of privilige which would subject, this journal to the? terrible pains and penalties which an impotent Legislature sets up like the t. hite sheet, and scooped turnip which frighten children. W<*, therefore, shall abstain from making any accusations of hypocrisy, but proceed to" J>roye it from solemn and gainful facts, droping all flippanoy. -Wo ask the reader m sober seriousness to peruse the prayer wit_L which the Speaker of the House of Representatives every pitting opens the .proceedings. 'Ibis is the prayer : ' ' Almighty God, we Thine unworthy servants do most humbly, beseech thee to. grant that we, baying liiy fefir always befdre our eyes, and laying aside all private interests, p. ejudices, and partial' affections, tke result of all our counsels may be to the glory of Thy name, the main, ten&nce of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the publio weal, peace and tranquility of .the colony, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen;' Is this a mockery, or what'is i£? -The .. priayer of the religious man, says sacred writ, availetb much, but 'what avails this solemn st-pplication? Are prejudices and partial affections laid aside? Do the counsels'of these prayerful legislators tend to the, glory of the Great .Same or the promotion of peace? Are not ejivy, malice, and uncharitableness all too manifest m the wretched personal discussions which for, some., time disgraced the Parliaoient of the colony? How long ie this baneful and sorry exhi . bition to continue? Hor? long is the lie all but dirfect to be permitted to pass from .ipouth to mouth without check, and how much eleeperin the mire of party* and personal rancour, and wild accusation, is tlie . House to be dragged as a spectacle and a warning to other legislatures?' It would be a >grief to us if tlie' remarks wbich we have felt ourselves impelled to make should prove an infraction of what remains of privilege. The House may still ■have the modesty tO claim -breach of privilege, bat after the manner m whicb the very opposite, of that* virtue has been tossed 'to and fro by the membeis, it is refreshing to feel that the truth can be told, however much erring members may impugn the unwelcome narrative. Would it not be advisable, until the House arrives at a better frame of mind, I to omit the prayer, and ' save the impiety which cannot but follow the way m whfch the supplications are disregarded almost before the echo of the Speaker's 'Amen' has died away ? This discussion is absorbing every thing, else, and people are getting thoroughly wearied of the gross waste of time.