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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 310, 11 June 1889, Page 3

It was rumored that the Premier intended at the ensuing session to renew his attempt to amend the standing orders, which was so unsuccessful last year. lam informed that this does not represent accurately what he proposes. The “ stonewalling " which was so scandalous last year had become worse than a nuisance. Sir Harry Atkinson thinks that resort to such a disorderly expedient is degrading to the dignity of Parliament, as well as an obstruction to public business. He considers that even the privileges of Parliament are concerned in suppressing such a practice. What he proposes is a declaratory resolution on the part of the members for the session under which the Speaker could act as being an instruction of the pleasure of the House, and in the nature of an instruction for the preservation of order, in cases not provided for in the Standing Orders. There will probably be some difficulty in framing such a resolution, but there is no insuperable difficulty in this way of securing order and the despatch of business. To follow the course taken last year would involve the active services of the Parliamentary whips, which gave some offence, and a majority of two-thirds of tbe number of members. The precise terms of the resolution and the time and manner of its being submitted to the House have not yet been decided.—Wellington correspondent,