Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1892. MR. SPEAKER.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 41, 17 August 1892, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1892. MR. SPEAKER.

Mb. Speaker cut but a sorry figure yesterday when he had humbly to apologise to tho Minister of Lands for having vontured to come 'twixt his nobility and tho wind. The Minister of Lands, however, was magnanimous, and generously forgavo Mr. Speaker for having had an opinion of his own. It was, however, on the distinct understanding that tho offence was not to be repeated. The whole story of the disagreoment would be amusing, if it did not convey a very sad moral, accentuating tho decadence of the House during the present Parliament. The present Speaker has boon lamentably weak ever sinoe he stood on the steps of the Chair to return thanks for his election. Never, perhaps, did ho show to less advantage than in oonneotion with the dispute which was ended yesterday by his referring to Hansard to convict himself of having, within a few days, given_ directly contradictory rulings. Tho confession he had to make was one of astonishing weakness, and the plea that he was not intentionally partial or biassed, was one which no firm, strong-minded man would for a momont have thought of advancing. Tho idea that ho could by any possibility be supposed to have offended from such motives would certainly never have suggestod itself to Sir Maurice O'Robke. It matters really very little whether the Speaker was wrong in bis first ruling, in his second ruling, or in neither or in both. He should not give any ruling without being able to vindicate it as based on principle, and having given a ruling he should not require to refer to Hansard proofs to find out what it was and whether it agreed with or differed from some other ruling of more recent date. It is very evident that Mr. Speaker Steward is fast losing control over the House. The constant necessity for his interposing in debate shows how reluxed tho feeling of respect for the Chair has become. In previous Parliaments the Speaker's active intervention was seldom demanded. His mere presence was sufficient to preserve order and enforce decorum. Now, members are constantly trospassing- and inviting tho rebuke of the Chair, which is administered in such an undecided manner as to almost invite a repetition of the trespass. Mr. Steward is a mild, woll-meaning gentleman, actuated by tho best possiblo motives, but with a good deal more seif-conceit than real dignity. He is not a strong man, and tho present HcrasQ certainly requires a strong- man to preside over it. Sir Maurice O'Rorke's absence ia doubly felt with regret — in his absence from the chair and in the presenoo of his sneoestwr in the representation of Manakau. It is a great pity thai Mr. Rolleston was not elected Speakes: instead of Mr. Steward. He would have made a muoh bettor Speaker than a P. urty leader. Ministers aro of course responsiblei ble for the fact that Mr. Steward and not Mr. Rolleston sits in the Speaker's oliair. We are by no means sure that they now congratulate themselves on th/O choice they made at tho opening of the Parliament. If they thought tlhat Mr. Steward's recognised want of force of character would make him a convenient and E liable Party tool in their hands, tl ley have appily proved mistaken. Mr. Ste'wabd's weakness is not of that characte r. He endeavours to be scrupulously fair, and is so as far as his ability extends. Piiobably Ministers do not like this. Their disappointment may havo caused tho imitation which in the - recent episode has been so palpably displayed by the Mi nister of Lands. Bnt Mr. Speaker Steward a hould have adopted a more dignified meaiaa of vindicating his own independence than he did. He should have allowed Mr. M'Kenzie to take his own course, without endeavouring to placate his wrath or majring even the semblance of an apology to him. Had the Speaker remained firm and silent, Mr. M'Kxnzib's attaok would have? r§'

coiled on himself, and have bronght him to dire confusion. The impropriety of his action, as a Minister of the Crown, in impugning tho Speaker.- conduct as he threatened to do, would then havo been emphasised and become apparent to all. Mr. Speaker requires more backbone. His is quite long enough, but it is not by any means strong enough.