Vogel, Grey, and Premier.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 78, 10 December 1887, Page 2

Vogel, Grey, and Premier.

A WARM DISCUSSION. A very sharp skirmish took place between Sir J. Vogel and tha Premier relative to the refusal of the latter to give any facilities to Sir Julius to bring forward his resolutions reviewing the Speaker's ruling on the late Thompson episode. Sir Julius has intimated that after consulting his friends he would possibly bring matters forward as a breach of privilege, and leave the responsibility of ulterior consequences upon the shoulders of the Premier. The war of words did not improve tbe temper of either combatant, and a few minutes afterwards they were again in altercation, Sir Julius accusing the Premier of arrogance, while the latter accused the former of steady ohatruotion. Sir Julius hotly retorted that if the Premier made unfounded charges of that sort he would very quickly give him a taste of real obstruction so as to let him know what it really was, and he went on speaking, which was the signal for the stampede of Ministerialists into the lobbies, leaving the leader of the Opposition barely a quorum to listen to his remarks. Sir G. Grey here caused a diversion. He said he did not think this fair play. The hon. member for Christchurch North had only talked a little, but the arch obstructionist at the table (alluding to the Premier) had kept them in the House till 3 o’clock that morning. He hoped Sir J. Vogel would talk as long as he pleased. There was a good deal of laughter at the sally. Sir Julius, however, does not like speaking to empty benches, and he concluded his remarks in a few minutes. In this he is unlike his lieutenant, Mr Seddon, who would be perfectly happy if there were only himself the Speaker, and the Hansard reporter in the corner, left in the House.