HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 5 September 1881, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wellington, 3

There was a continnous sitting of the House till half-past 7 last night, when the following extraordinary scene occurred, there being a full House and all the galleries crowded to suffocation. On taking the-Chair Seymour said the Committee had now been silting fortyaeight hours and had negatived on twenty three occasions motions for reporting progress, or that the Chairman leaye the chair. I am of opinion that the limits of fair discussion have been oversteped on this occasioc, and it becomes my duty as Chairman in order to uphold the proper conduct of the business of the Com* raittee to put a stop to the proceedijgs which have become obstructive. For the present therefore I shall not permit to be proposed, nor shall 1 put from "the Chair any further motion to report progress or leave the Chair. I shall submit to the consideration of the Committee any new clauses or amendments which may be bona fide and in order, nnd I shall then strictly confine discussion to the point immediately under considera* tion. I feel sensible of the importance of the decision to which I have arrived, but lam of opinion that that decision was absolutely necessary for the proper conduct of the business, that the delibera" tions of the Committee should be brought to that point which is usual in fair and reasonable discussion of measures submitted to the House. I have only now to add that I shall not allow this ruling of mine to be disputed. If any member objects to the coutse T propose to take, and there may be some members who might think that in the proposal I make for the conduct of the business of the Chair lam overstepping due authority. Then I think the proper time for the discussion of that point is when tho House is sitt'ng and the Speaker is in the Chair, I shall not allow the ruling I give now to be challenged.

Several members having asked questions' upon the ruh'ng, Seddon went on to discuss the new clause which the Chairman now insisted upon the House denting wih, and when he sat down

Gisborne rose and moved-*. That the Chairman report progress in order that the unprecedented ruling of the Chairman of Committees relative to this procedure in Committee may be submitted for the consideration of the House. Jn moving this Gisborne said : It is my intention. Sir, to press this motion as the only means of bringing your ruling under the review of the House, and if you rale me out of order 1 shall resist your ruN ing, with the object of being reported to the Speaker as disorderly, and thus enabling the Committee to obtain the opinion of the Speaker as to whether your ruling is correct. Chairman: I mar inform the Com* miltee that 1 shall decline to put this.

Gisborne rose to speak to his motion when

The Chairman said : The hon. gentleman will please to speak to the clause un» der consideration -

Gisborne : I shall speak to my motion. Chairman: The hon. gentleman will speak to the clause. Gisborne : 1 beliove lam asserting the privileges oHhe House; if I am disorderly I wish my conduct lo be reported to li>e House.

Chairmen: I understand the liod' gen* tlemau decl'D°3 to speak to the clause under discussionGisborne: I do.

Chairman : I declare the hon, member

in tlnf case to be acting: in defiance of the ruling of the C:»airm*n.

The Premier besought the members to calm themselves, there was no ci»si for excitement, and they should be prepared to deal with the milter in a calm and judicial spirit, that was the only way they were likely to arrive at a just coaclu<i'in.

Chairtmn : Then said he woald leave the Chair find report that the memh >r for Tofara had been guilty of disorderly couduct.

The Chairman having done so Grey rose and was about to speak when Ihe Speaker cried Order. If any member rises when I am on mv logs summary proceedings will be ordered to bo taken. It, has been reported that Gis« borne has been guiky of disorderly conduct in Committee. I will now afford that membor an opportunity of explaining his conduct, uf'er which he will withdraw from the Chamber until the House deliberates what course I will pursue with regard to him.

Gisborne then expluined his reason for what he had done, and left the Ciamber.

Hall said : before I proceed <o movo a motiou which has just no* b?en die* tared by yourself. Sir, may I ask you to call upon the bon. member whose con* duct has been challenged to reconsider the matter.

Speaker: I must positively decline doing; so. It bas been explained to me that the authority of the Chairman of Committees lias been set at defiance and I haye in due form called upon and given the member an opportunity o f explaining his conduct. This he has declined to do and it must be assumed that he bad in Iris mind a full knowledge of the conse« quences. I therefore must decline to interfere any further. I now await the motion requisite for dealing with the member.

Hall : Then, Sir, 1 have to move, and I do so with rejret— That Gusbirne, member of the Hous?, having continue.! to interrupt the business of the Hou^ in Committee, after having been called upon by the Chairman thereof to desist shall be held to have been guilty of contempt." I do this, Sir, with very great regret, as I cannot but admit that wliile the member has undoubtedly defied the authority of the House, he has done so in no spirit of factiousness, and has simply been actuated by a desire to assert what he undoubtedly seems to con* sider to have been right, believing him to bo wrong, as he undoubtedly was. The Chairman reported the matter to yourself, you have decided that Gis« borne was in the wrong.

Cries of JS». Yes.

Speaker in dealing with a case of this kind, I beg that it may be done in a spirit of solemnity due to the import* ance of the occasion.

Hall : Sir, I will move the motion I have just read, with the addition in« serted by you, and tbj penalty be £20.

Motion carried.

After this scene the Committee ad« journed for half an hour, and upon resuming tiie Bill passed through Committee at 8 this morning, the stonewallers opposing every clause. The Bill was then reported to the House, and Atkinson moved the third reading.

She.. Inn moved that the Bill be read that day sis months, and tha debate oa this lasted till midnight.