HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Inangahua Times, Issue 19, 2 October 1878, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

[PhR. PllKSa AGENCY.] Wellington, October 1. Tho House met afc 7.81. last nighf. In reply to questions Fisher said it would not be «xpensivo to cau*o tologni|)h wires to bj Inid in pipes in ox* poaed plncos in order to prevent frequent interruptions. Tho Premier snid if !Filzroy would givo notice of motion regarding the delay in procuring tho return of the Ilinemon, it would afford him opportunity of making a statement explaining cause of dolay. i

Judicial Commission Bill (fhicf objoot; of which is lo ascertain by what power Barton was sentenced to ono tnonlh's imprisonment by tho judge) en mo on for debate. On tho second rending, Stout opposed the Bill. Ho did so for himself not on behalf of tho Government. Hon gentleman wonb at considorablo length into tho question, quoting various eminent legal uuthoritiea to show that judges possosiod fltich powor had done for six hundred years, »nd thnt came powers woro exorcised by judges in the United States, and that in fact it was a powor which tbo proper coniuct of the business of fho Court rendered it absolutely nocen* snry should be paced in the hands of thfl judge*, and if that nower was abused there who tho power of Pnrliement and of public opinion as safe--guards. Boforo the ilouso was asked to pass suoh a Bill some misconduct on the judges part should bo shown. limn followed nt considerable length. Inking entirely opposition view, holding that, judges were not amenable to public opinion, nnd vr«ro abovo tlio li'Rtoiatu'rq and law itself. Bowon snid it was likely to abolish tho Independence of tho Supremo Court;, nnd was placing judges on their trial without jpruiM raoie being mndo out against I horn. Ho.condoraned -the conduct of Bnrfcon's towards the judge, and said he Imi a porfrct nionotnania wher^ judgoa worn concerned. Moss strongly supported iho Bill. Hiabornc opposed. Tolo did not want powor of independence of jii'k'os curtailed, but would voto for tlw. Bill. Whitaker took vory similar views to tho Attopuoy-Qenoral. House adjourned at 12 40.