STONEWALLING CONTINUED.

Evening Star, Issue 5767, 2 September 1881, Page 2

STONEWALLING CONTINUED.

Yesterday afternoon pome diversion was caused by Mr Tomoana inquiring if he might sing a M*»ri song to illustrate his views on the situation. Tho ActinoChaikman (Colonel Trimble) replied iu the negative, though he did not think the hon. member for the Eastern Maori District would be(a bit more out of order in singing than any of the other members had been uuring the past twelve hours. He strongly reprobated tho aouso of the form? of Parliament.—Mr Colmks and Mr Hursthoi'BK continued the speaking till th-i usual dinner-hour arrived.

At 7.30 Mr Hi/rstiioi-sb continued speaking, and kept tho floor for half an hour. In the course of hia remarks he said tliat the Nelson men would agree to Canterbury and Otaao getting their increased representation if that of Nelson were decreased gradually. They were prepared to guffor some diminution, but not all at once.—Sir Gboror QKKr then took up the talking, and was soon engaged in

A TRIANGUMR DCMi.

The Chairman having ruled the member for the Thames out of order for referring to the pension question,

Sir Gkorok Grey retorted that this was oppression, and that if, in defence of public rights eudangered by class legislation, freedom of speech was denied him, he would sit down protesting agunat the chairman's tyranny.

* Mr Swanson defended the properly vote, contending that all tho liberal measures they had ivero the result of legislation passed in virtue of the existing franchise.

Sir G. Grky asked to be allowed to say a few words, to which

The Chairman replied that he would not bo allowed to transgress the ordinary rules of debate. The imputation of tyranny was a most unjustifiable one.

Sir Gkorok Grey did not think it desirable for him to mix with Mr Swanson in political matters, as Mr Swanson was a man of property, and had a compact in his pocket, racking him either the servant of the Government er the master of the Government Mr Swanson's whole spetcn was in f,ivor of the influence of wealth, and of rendering it impossible for the poor man to acquire property. He himself was opposed to any other franchise than the manhood one; but if the freehold oue was to be maintained, h.i thought the evil might be mitigated by the leasehold fraxchUe being allowed.

The CnAiRMAN again ruled the member for the Thames out of order.

Mr Swanbon declared that Sir George Grey's advocacy of the poor was nothing but bunkuir. Sir George Grey had betrayed the people who returned him and his followers in tho House.

Sir Gkorok Grky spoke till the 10.00 adjournment. At 10.80 the MisiflTKß for Lands replied to the remarks made by Sir G. Gr<-y in reference to the chairman, and hoped the Committee would uphold the dignity of the chair. He cared little for tho speeches of Sir G. Grey; they fell harmless upon him. Some of Sir G Gre)'s remarks were contemptible, but ho (Mr Rolleston) would never sit still and hear the chairman spoken of as Sir G Grey had spoken of him. From a long experience of Sir G. Grey he knew he was utteily insensible to Bhsme and decency, and had not a spark of generosity or patriotism in him, nor hid he one of those qualities which tho House could respecL—Mr Collins and Mr SrKionr continued the talking. At 1210 a.in. the Committee divided on tho motion that the chairman do leave the chair—Ayes 10, noes 27. At 12. S5 the Committee divided on Hie moliou to report progrtas Ayes 0, noes 20. Mr Reeves having continued to speak till 130, tho Trkaburkr called attention to Mr Reeves's threat to speak till eight o'clock. A followed as to whether tho business of the Committee was being conducted In an orde-ly manner, in the course |>f which Messrs Sheehuu, Whitaker, Seddon, and Tunball tcok part.—The Chairman ru'ed that the order did not go far enough to warrant him in putting a stop to the carrying out o' the threat by Mr Reeves.— The Treasurkr quoted from May the words "nor nee the rules of the House in order to obstruct public tu-.inefs," and asked the ruling of the ch<lrman as to whether they did not apply prohibitively to the tectiea of the Opposition.— After discussion, the Chairman ruled that it was not competent for him to put a limit to any p«riod during whiuh a member might choose to sneak. At Mr Shpehan's Instance, the question arose as to whether a deputy-chairman, nominated by the Chaiiman of Coraaiittees, on vacation of the chair should carry out the rulings of the chair, irrespect ve of his own opinions.—Mr Sktmotjr replied that he should do so, and that each sue ejsive deputy-chairman Bhould carry out what he believed would be the rulings of the permateat Cht>lrman of Commi tjea.—Mr Rbhvks moved that the chiiroian leave the chair. Ayes noes 24 Mr Hamlin, on tho nomination of Mr Seymour, theu took the chair, whereupon Mr Sbddon moved that progress be reported. lie commenced speaking at 145 a.m., and resumed his B©it at 8.30, when a division took place—Ayes 4, noes 23. Mr Sehdo.n then moved that the ch»' man do leai o the chair, returning his review of the Westland electoral roll. —After reading one name the Acting - chairman, Colonel Trimble (who relieved Mr Hamlin) ruled Mr Seidon out of order. -Mr Seddon quoted Mr Sjynnur's ruling, but the Acting chairman maintained rhat hia rating was correct—Mr Ssudon, amid cries of" order," protested against being " sat upon."— The Actino ciiairmin appealed to the Corxruittee, and Mr Skddon apologised ironically, anl proceeded without further reference to the roll, basing his remarks on the schedules.

At 4 40 the Committoe divided on tho question that progress be reported. Ayes 3, noes 24. MrSKDDON then moved tint the chairman leave the chair.—Mr Fisiikr asked if Mr Sbddon was in ©rder. —The Actisqchairman explained that he felt his hands tied by the ruling of Mr Seymour, but he would take the earliest opportunity, thould he again occupy tho chair, to exercise his own judgment, and do his best to get tho Committoe out of the difficulty in which they werr. Several motions that the chaii min do leave the chair, and that progress be reported, were moved, and in each cise negatived. At this stage the Chairman intimated that if the Opposition pursued their pnaent ccureo he would have a "panlful duty to periorra " Shortly before this the Bergeant-a'»\.rms, who was at tho moment in another part ot the House, was sent for by the chairman.»~Mr Snßj-iUBp next spoke, and resumed his s % ■ At 7.15, when tho question was put to report progress—Ayes 8, noe3 24 Mr Gibbs followed. At S 20 Mr Brtck took the chair, and at once told Mr Gibbs tint he must confine his remarkß to the Rep- esentation Bill. srr Pitt followed at 8 25, and continued until 9 5, when Mr Lkvkbtam addressed the Committee, and spoke unt.l ten o'clock.—He was followed by Mr SmoiiT, when Mr Bryce was relioved from the chair, his place being taken by Mr Thomson.—During Mr Speight's speech the Prhmibr pointed out that the Bill dii not absolutely settle the members of the House to be ninety-one, intimating that the number of the members could be altered on the rceommital of the Bill.—Mr Speight finished speaking at 11 60 Mr Swanson then commented on the'operation of the property vote ix Auckland,