PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 5762, 27 August 1881, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE council. Friday, August 26. A number of Bills sent up from the Lower House were read a first time. Tbo Imprest Supply Bill passed through all Its stages. The Otago University Reserves Vesting Bill was recommitted and further amended. A select committee was appointed to inquire Into the payment of the honorarium to certain Councillors. KAKANUI HARBOR RILL. On the motion for the second reading this Bill was thrown out by 14 to 9, The following was the division list: — Ayes.— Captain Baillio, Messrs G. Buckley, Dignan, Holmes, Lahraann, Pharazyn, Waterhouse, Wigley, and Whitaker. Noks.— Captain Fraser, Major Richmond, Messrs Chamberlain, Dr Grace, G. R Johnson, Mantell, Miller, Nurse, Peacock, Peter, Reynolds, Robinson, Williamson, and Wood. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, August 26. The Statutes Revision Committee reported, recommending that tho Lunatics Bill should be postponed till next session. Mr Wakefield explained that he had not assisted the stonewallers on Wednesday mornin*. Ministers, in reply to questions, stated that the attention of the Government had been directed to a case heard in the Oamaru Police Court, in which a man was charged with assaulting his wife under peculiarly aggravated circumstances. Inquiries would bo made into the facts of tho case, with the view of ascertaining whether or not a miscarriage of justice had taken place, or whether the offender should not have been dealt with by a jury,— The Government would, during the recess, carefully consider tho report of the Otago Pastoral Leases Committee, and would accept of their recommendation os indicating the particular points in which amendment should be considered. Ho Indicated clauses in tho reports upon which there was likely to arise a difference of opinion, and upon these ho recommended that the Committee should meet again and further consider tho questions raised. The matters dealt with in the report were of a nature which could not bo too carefully considered, but he had every confidence that they would be able under tho existing law to have these runs cut up and dealt with during the recess.—The Government did not propose adding fire insurance to the Government Insurance Department’s business.—Provision would bo made for dispensing with the stamped receipt on payment of Imperial pensions.

STONEWALLING. On the Orders of the Day being called on, Mr SPEIGHT moved the adjournment of the House. After having spoken for about an hour, Mr Bowen asked the Speaker to rule whether the forma of the House could be taken advantage of for tho evident purpose of stonewalling. The Speaker replied that the hon. member for Auckland East was quite in order. Mr Speight then continued speaking for some time, when ho was interrupted by a message from the Governor, recommending that tho subject of Dr Pollen’s pension should bo considered by the House. The Premier then objected to any further remarks being made by Mr Speight on that subject, seeing that tho House had decided on a discussion at a future date, Tho Speaker sustained the objection.

Mr Speight said that this was a neat experience in parliamentary practice. He talked against time until the dinner adjournment was F6&cll6cl* The Premier gave notice of “ cloture ” resolutions, and asked that their consideration should be made an Order of the Day for Monday. Sir George Grey felt that a serious step was being proposed, and suggested they should adjourn at once to consider the real import of the resolutions upon the business. The Premier submitted that they would have Saturday and Sunday to think over the effect, and that ought to be sufficient. The Speaker ruled that any proposal for adjournment could not be entertained in the face of a discussion going on for the adjournment of the House.

Mr Speight proceeded with his speech, which ho concluded at 8 p.m. Mr Gibbs followed in a similar strain. Sir George Grey appealed to the Government to consent to an adjournment. The Treasurer could not see any reason for the adjournment. Mr Skddon spoke for about two and a-half hours, Messrs Pitt, Shephard, and Lcvestam also spoke. The Premier said there could bo no doubt but that the sole motive was to obstruct the business. Ho was expressing the opinions of nine-tenths of the country that the forms of the House had been abused to such an extent that coercive measures should bo resorted to. Members must know that they could not force the views of the minority on the majority, and most assuredly they would not succeed on this occasion. Mr Hamlin also denounced the course followed by the Opposition. Mr Hursthouse challenged the Government to dissolve, and then it would be seen whether or not the Opposition were in the right. The Minister for Lands said they were reasonable beings, and as such it was not duo to them to obstruct the business by mere physical force. The Government had no fear of going to the country, but they would be neglecting their duty if they went to the country without securing the rc-adjustment that was demanded, Mr Moss defended the course pursued by the Opposition, The House rose at 1,10