NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 145, 3 September 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT.

[PER "UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WELLINGTON, Last Night.

The House met on Wednesday, and at the evening sitting, the debate on the Schedules of the Representation Bill. Mr. Reeves, Mr. Shepherd, Mr. Pittt, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Levestam, and Mr. Gibbs spoke against time, from 11 p.m. on Wednesday night, till 2.40 on Thursday. Mr. Tomoana then proposed to sing a Maori song, but was ruled out of order. Mr. Collins, Mr; Hursthouse, Mr. Swanson, and Sir G. Grey filled up the time till 10.30. The Hon. Mr. Rolleston referring to Sir G. Grey's remarks about the Chairman said, he' could not sit still and hear him aspersed. From long experience, he knew Sir G. Grey to be utterly insensible to shame or decency, without a particle of patriotism or generosity, and without any of those qualities the House could respect. Mr. Collins said they would fight the Bill till Parliament expired by effluxion of time. After Mr. Speight had spoken, and two divisions had taken place about leaving the chair, and reporting progress, both being negatived by a large majority. Mr. Reeves moved that the Chairman do now leave the chair, and intimated his intention to speak till 8 o'clock. Mr. Pitt followed at 8.25, and continued until 9.5, when Mr. Levestan sddressed the Committee, until 10 o'clock. He was followed by Mr. Speight, when Mr. Bryce was relieved from the chair. His place being taken by Mr. Thomson. During Mr. Speight's speech, the Premier pointed out that the Bill did not absolutely settle the members of the House to be ninetyone, intimating that the number of the members could be altered on the recommittal of the Bill. Mr. Speight finished speaking at 11.50. Mr. Swanson then commented upon the operation of the property vote in Auckland. Major Atkinson called attention to Mr. Reeves' threat to speak till 8 o'clock. A. discussion followed, as to -wb.eth.er tlie business of Che Committee was being- conducted in "an orderly manner." In the course of which Messrs. Sheehan, Whitaker, Seddon, and Turnbull took part. The Chairman (Mr. Seymour) ruled that the order did not go far enough to warrant him in putting a stop to the carrying on of the debate by Mr. Reeves. Major Atkinson quoted from May the words: " Nor use the rules of the House in order to obstruct public business," and asked the ruling of the Chairman as to whether they did not apply prohibitory to the tactics of the Opposition. After discussion, tbe Chairman ruled that it was not competent for him to put a limit to any period during which a member might choose to speak. Mr. Sheehan and Mr. Reeves followed. After further divisions, Mr. Seddon spoke, and again began reading tho Westland electoral roll. Colonel Trimble (who had relieved Mr. Hainlin) ruled Mr. Seddon out of order. Mr. Seddon quoted Mr. Seymour's ruling. The Chairman maintained that his ruling was correct. Mr. Seddon, amid cries of " Order," protested against being " sat upon." The Chairman appealed to the House, and Mr. Seddon apologised, ironically. A number of motions to report progress were then put, and negatived. Messrs. Shepherd and Sheehan spoke till 7.15. Mr. Gibbs followed till 8.20, but was wai'ned by Mr. Bryce, who took the chair, that he must speak on the Representation Bill. After further obstruction bad been continued during the day, Mr. Seymour on resuming the chair, announced that he had come to the conclusion that the limits of free discussion had now been overstepped, and that he should refuse to put any more motions to i*eport progress, or to leave the chair. While he would allow full latitude to discuss any new clauses, he would not allow his ruling to be questioned by the Committee.