HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 979, 1 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLINGTON, last night. By special arrangement, the debate on the second reading of the Judicial Commission bill was resumed by Mr Stout, at 7.30. To the surprise of the House, he opposed the bill. He spoke for upwai'ds of an hour, very calmly and dispassionately, as if arguing a case before a court, and be quoted a large number of authorities. He paid . tribute of personal and professional esteem to Mr Barton, and expressed his opinion that the punishment meted to him, even if guilty of contempt was excessive ; bat he contendtd that the law w»=* perfectly clear as to tbe power of committal for contempt, and that, therefore, a commission was unnesessary, and that Parliament should not interfere with the Judges, except it had evidence before it to ! justify their removal, either on the ground of corruption or being disqualified by temper from properly exercising judicial functions. There was no such evidence here. He appealed to the House not to lower the status of the Judges, and their prestige m the eyes of the public by makino; their conduct the subject of enquiry. To do so would be to cast a slur on them. Mr Rees is now speaking strongly m support of the Bill, and m reply to the Attorney-General. The debate will probably last all night.