AN ALL NIGHT SITTING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 218, 14 September 1893, Page 5

AN ALL NIGHT SITTING.

WARM ALTERCATION IN THE

HOUSE,

ATTACK ON THE DEFENCE

ESTIMATES,

(BY TELEGRAPH. — PARLIAMENTARY

KEPORTER.)

Wellington, this day.

The House of Representatives was occupied until a late hour this morning dealing with the Estimates.

The Mines vote, £4,165, was passed, bub nob without opposition from several members who objected to the present organisation of the Department. The Premier then proposed thab the Defence Estimates should be taken.

The Leader of the Opposition asked that they should be delayed until Colonel Fox's report came down. Then was the time bo consider them. Several other members on the Opposition benches supportod their Leader.

Mr Seddon pointed out thab as nine months of the year had gone the Estimates could not be affected. He promised that the discussion of Colonel Fox's report would come on not later than Tuesday, but Captain Russell was not satisfied, and moved that progress be reported.

Mr Hamlin, also a military man, agreed with the suggestion. He had much to Bay on the report, and wouldrequireanhourand a-half on the Defence Estimates alone.

In vain 'did the Chairman try to geb to business. These military gentlemen stood fast.

Captain Russell accusod the Minister tor Defence of trying to "euchre" the Committee.

Mr Fibli objected to the word as unparliamentary, and attempted to give a de finition of its meaning.

The definition was objected to by Mr Hamlin, who expressed surprise that a man like Mr Fish should have displayed such ignorance of a popular game. He gave his explanation ot the word, and the Chairman, after some consideration, came to the conclusion that the word was quite permissible in that Chamber. ANOTHER STORM. Then arose another stcrm againsb the Premier. Sir Robert Stout said the Government had clearly never intended to carry out Colonel Fox's reporb.

Mr Fergus followed in a more personal style. He cried out repeatedly about the Premier's autocratic conduct.

Mr Fish—even he came to the support ot Mr Seddon, whereupon Mr Fergus turned his wrath upon the Dunedin member, and accused him of trimming, when he ended his onslaught, and again tackled the Government.

Messrs Hamlin and Fieh continued an altercation in loud tones.

Again Mr Rolloston, in more gentle stylo than his colleague, Mr Fergus, hoped that the Premier would see the propriety of postponing the Defence Estimates.

Then followed an altercation between Messrs Allen and Palmer, in which the latter said the volunteer service was dead, and protests from members in rapid succession against the defence estimates being proceeded with till Colonial Fox's report was down. »

Mr Fieh argued that to frame Estimates on the roport was not possible at present. It would take a month or six weeks, and he wanted to be back to his constituency. " Let us get on with the work then," said Mr Fish.' A SLEEPY HOUSE. "Lotus get home to bed," replied the weary members, two-thirds of whom were recumbent on the benches, and quite onethird asleep.

"No," said the Premier, knowing bis strength, and thab his own men would stand by him.

In vain did the Opposition call for a division on the motion to report progress. It was lost, overwhelmingly lost by 20 to 8, so tho Opposition gave way, but only for a time. Hardly had the Committee dipped into the Defence Estimates when Captain Russell again protested against the Estimates being proceeded with. He believed the Minister's action that nighb was taken with a view of burking discussion on Colonel Fox's report. THE CHAIRMAN RELIEVED. By this time Mr Guinness, Chairman of Committees, weary with attempting to guide a turbulent House, had resigned hie seat in favour of Mr Joyce, who soon got into hot water with Mr Hamlin, that gentleman objecting vehemently against, being called to order. Mr Hamlin knew something about Parliamentary procedure. He could give a lesson to the temporary Chairman.

Amid cries of " Order!" these two continued to argue the justice of Mr Joyce's ruling. Peace having afc length been restored between them, Messrs Allen, llolleston and others plied the Premier, as Minister for Defence, with military queries. Had Colonel Fox power to enlist ? asked Mr Allen. Who was responsible for dismissals? demanded O Mr Rolleston. Was Colonel Fox Commandant of the Forces of New Zealand? vociferated Mr Hamlin with wearisome iteration from the cross benches. In vain did the Premier assure the latter gentleman that Colonel Fox was gazetted Commandant. Mr Hamlin only repeated his query. At last, however, an agreement was come to on the departmental vote of £950. A little after five o'clock this morning the votes of £52,767 for permanent militia and volunteers, £3,371 for stores and magazines and £8,616 for miscellaneous services were passed.