SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1222, 3 December 1897, Page 3

SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

In committee on the Old Age Pensions Bill on Thursday, Mr Seddon said it would be unwise to refer the bill to a committee, as it would mean stopping the bill proceeding. Since the bill had been committed there had been a determined attempt to prevent its passing. There had been close on 400 speeches made on the bill, and any ordinary mind must see that this was done with tho intention of blocking the passage of the bill. Captain Russell asked how long the Premier was allowed to speak 1 The Chairman said that as Mr Seddon was in charge of the bill he could speak as long as he liked. Mr Seddon said Captain Russell was endeavoring to gag him. Captain Russell said the Premier was deliberately stating what was untrue. Mr Seddon moved that the words be taken down. — Agreed to. The Speaker took the chair and asked Captain Russell to explain. ! This he did, but refused to withdraw

the statement objected to. Thn Speaker then asked Captain Russell to withdraw from the Chamber, which he did Mr Seddon explained, and moved that the House regrets that the member for Hawkes Bay has not thought Gt to withdraw the expression. At the evening sitting, Mr M, J. S. Mackenzie moved an amendment to Mr Seddon's motion, to the effect that while the House recognised that it was the duty of a member to withdraw any expression ruled out ot order by the Speaker, in. the case of the member for Hawkes Bay the provocation was such as to warrant the House not proceeding further in the matter. He said the Piemier deserved a certain amount of b'ame and should share it with the

leadpr of the Opposition. A debate ensued, and ultimately Mr Mackenzie's amendment was lost by 36 to 27. Mr Rolleston moved, as an addition to the Premier's resolution, *■ and further regrets that the Premier should hive taken occasion, on overhearing a remark of the hon. member for Hawkes Bay to the Chairman of Committee, to make a statement affecting the honor of the member for Hawkes Bay to the effect that he was endeavouring to gag the Premier and make him sit down, a statement which was not justified by the words overheard. This was put to the vote without discussion and lost by 36 to 27. The debate was continued on Mr Seddon's motion which was agreed to by 36 to 27. Captain Russell here entered the chamber, and the Speaker intimated to him the resolution arrived at. Captain Russell said he regretted that he had been compelled to disobey tho order of the Chairman of Committees. In extenuation he said statements made by Mr Seddon had previously strained his Parliamentary credence, and that day it snipped. Mr Seddon's remarks had been most offensive and rested on no foundation. Mr Seddon said he had a painful duty to perform, but he had sincerely thought that Captain Russell had intended to stop his speech. He moved that the resolution just passed be riot entered on the Journals of the House. Tliis was agreed to, and Captain Russell expressed his appreciation ot tho kindness of the House.