SPEECHES IN REPLY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XV, Issue 1134, 11 May 1858, Page 3

SPEECHES IN REPLY.

On Wednesday, the hon. member for Christchurch Country Districts (Mr. Hall) moved' that :— It be a Sessional Order of this House, that the member in charge of any Bill be allowed the right of reply to speeches made on the question, that such Bill be read a second time. The member for the Bay of Islands opposed the motion, because no sufficient reason had bee a given for departing from the practice of the House of Commons. The main object of rules is to check exuberance of debate, and it is not easy, in this instance, to find any substantial cause for relaxing them. The principle of the Bill is supposed to be discussed on the second reading ; but, in practice, the principle is often, and might be always discussed, on the question for "leave to bring in the bill." On this question, by our standing orders, the mover has the right of reply, — *•«., of speaking twice and having the last word. Mr. Hall's motion gives the mover the same right over again ; which appears unnecessary. Moreover, as was argued in the House, the mover of the second reading, does, for the most part, obtain the opportunity to speak a second time, although not necessarily getting the much coveted "last word." For it is usual to oppose a second reading, not by a simple negative, but by an amendment ; upon which the mover of the main question is entitled to address the House. In addition to these technical considerations, we may also observe that the privilege of reply is more liable to being abused here, than it is in England. For some members are not sufficiently careful of their expressions when they feel that they have the last* word, for which a great hankering is always observable. The Colonial Secretary supported Mr. Hall s motion ; naturally enough. For nearly all the second readings are moved by ministers, who are therefore the real gainers by the motion. It was carried accordingly. While on the subject of "reply," let us take occasion, to. observe that nothing ;s more, difficult

than to make a good reply, on the spur of the moment, if a faithful answer to the opposing argument be intended. To take the real argument, to analyse it, and to bring out all the weak points, without time for reflection, is an intellec-tual-effort that very few can reach to. But nothing is easier than to alter an argument, and then, after adapting it to the immediate purpose, to make a smart and plausible reply, introducing common - places stored up in the memory. Adaptation of this nature facilitates the process exceedingly, after the fashion of the boa conwhich is obliged to lubricate its prey all over, before commencing to swallow it. It is much to be desired that some of our legislators would take the hint. We feel bound to say, for the Colonial Treasurer, that no fault can be found with him, in this respect. He grapples fairly with his subject, and goes in to win or lose. We wish that as much could be said for the Colonial Secretary, who is certainly one of the boldest perverters of arguments in the House. How it is, we cannot say ; but he does contrive to misapprehend most unaccountably. And this misapprehension is not merely occasional, but of constant recurrence. Nor is it one alone that complains of it, but many. This cannot endure long, with effect : unless he become more careful, he will lose caste as a debater.