IN THE HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9446, 22 June 1891, Page 5

IN THE HOUSE.

FRIDAY’S SITTING. A DESCRIPTIVE REPORT. [from our own correspondent.] CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. At the outset the noticeable feature is that the Premier gives notice about the Chairmanship of Committees. Mr Perceval is the Ministerial nominee, on learning which circumstance a smile goes round the House. Sir John Hall has it in his power, referring to his little chaff of yesterday, to quote the proverb about the prophetic character of many a true word spoken in jest, but he lets the opportunity go by. Mr Mackenzie shows his goodness of heart by bringing forward the case of poor young Quill, who lost hie life exploring on the southern ranges; and the Minister’s reply denies that Mr Mackenzie’s qualities of Dead are equal to those of his heart. There is, in other words, a difference of opinion about the facta; and the same lining happens when Mr Mackenzie ventilates the cause of the Gatlins River settlers. THE CALIFORNIAN THISTLE waves in the Parliamentary breeze, agitated by Mr Eolleston, not Mr Mackenzie, the deadly enemy of that plant. The Minister informs Mr Rolleston that the good seed sown (by Mr Mackenzie, we presume, in former years), has been choked by briars and other thorns, on all of which the Ministerial eye is carefully reposing. Mr T. Thomson vindicates the principle of FREE EDUCATION by asking the Minister to condemn the system of charging quarter money to scholars in primary schools. The Minister agreed that the system is wrong, even u lira vires. Hia reason for not having slashed it away is “ Board,” and he hopes the reason will not continue valid; whereupon a “so say all of us ” kind of expression steals over the face of the House. Dr Newman speaks of the marvellous scenery of the NORTHERN “ WONDERLAND ” and constrains himself to speak in an indifferent tone, evidently not daring to trust himself to enlarge on his favourite subject, remembering probably that the adjournment of the House has already been moved. We learn, in consequence of a modest question from Mr Palmer, that the PENNY POST will be with us by the first of October, and the House, we regret to observe, received the news with the impaseiveness of the proverbial Indian at the stake. When Mr Taipua has looked sharply after the Native Minister about that Native Commission report, yet in that good-humoured, burly way the House has got to like of late, Mr E. M. Smith, in a white waistcoast, strikes a note which goes to every heart. It is a question of

THE HONORARIUM, with or without the aspirate the thing will smell as sweet. Mr Smith complains loftily that his question about payment of members last year was not answered, but as that is past praying for he reiterates his firm and fervid belief in that salutary principle, and having thus relieved his soul, professes that for the present, he—and he has no doubt a few more (he looks round and meets what a lively imagination might call approving looks)—would be perfectly content if the recent reduction can be taken off. In spite of the urgency of the case, the Treasurer does not make any lordly promise to open the Treasury. The white waistcoat looks blank, and the “ few more ” laugh in a rather forced way. On the whole there are twenty - five questions, which are got through by about half-past three, after covering a great deal of ground—wehavobeentoCanadaand Vancouver with Mr Joyce; we have roamed over the North Island, looked into the Native schools for which the Minister for Education has expressed so much respect; we have visited the lakes and the sounds; we have looked on Sir Henry Parkes, and talked with him in a vague, promising sort of way about the report on strikes, which he has sent over, and which Mr Duthie wants on the table and in the Blue Books; and, we have even dipped into the Financial Statement, piloted by that daring financier, Mr J. Gr. Wilson. It has been an instructive and pleasant episode. Just before the Bills the report of the

public trust commission ia announced by the Premier. A little buzz passed like a shiver through the gallery, which is a sign of the storm presently of eager applicants for copies in the room below. During the first stage of the Bills the House has to go into Committee, and Mr Perceval is proposed as Chairman. Presently, Mr Perceval has a preliminary canter for his new duties. An Imprest Supply Bill comes in by message from the Governor. Dr Newman thinks it right to keep up his reputation as a financier. It seems to him the Government want a deal of money; they want too much. The doctor is much surprised. Ho has read the Financial Statement. This must be explained. lb is explained by the Treasurer, as these things usually are explained; and then the IMPREST SUPPLY BILL is, out o£ compliment to Her Majesty the Queen and Her Majesty’s Treasury, passed through all its stages. THE LABOUR BILLS made their second appearance. For their second reading they come. The Minister for Justice is in charge, and gives a brief explanation as he introduces the interesting, much-talked-of little strangers; and the House does not show any desire to debate. It is understood that the Bills will go to a Committee, and they are read a second time. The Bills are entitled Employers Liability, Shop Hours, Truck and Factories; the last, the Minister explains, ia to a large extent a consolidation measure. THE ELECTORAL BILL gets into Committee, when the Labour Bills have got themselves out of the way, and Mr Perceval takes the chair for another preliminary canter. The Premier stations himself where the member ia charge is usually to be seen on these perspiring occasions. Hon members gather round, and the Bill is guaranteed. Everybody expects the FEMALE FRANCHISE, and nobody is disappointed. The lady herself appears in a few minutes under the charge of her champion, Sir J. Hall. Sir John makes a warm little speech, introducing her to hon members. Hon members are about to shake hands with her; to consider about putting her favourably and comfortably into the Bill. But Mr Rees claims precedence for the Maori questions; and it becomes at once evident that Place aux Dames is not among the rules of that House. Exit madam enter Tangata Maori: and Tangata Maori, in the shape of various descendants of both races, holds possession till dinner, throwing many worthy legislators into a state of perplexity, Before dinner the Chairman made his first stumble, by promising to return at halfpast six. When the House reassembes Tangata Maori, having made satisfactory arrangements, madam once more came to the front. Then she encountered Mr Fish, who was in one of his most vehement) humours. All the galleries were full, the ladies being in great force, and, needless to say, very interested in the cause of the sisters and the cousins and the aunts. The House soon fills, hon members being attracted by .the prospect of a stentorian SLASH Mi OF A BREECH. They get it presently. Mr Fish is very thorough. He won’t have the female.

franchise at any price ; " the ladies don t want it, sir.” "Hear, hear,” and "No, no” come prompt; " The democracy doesn’t require it; the ladies don’t understand politics. Are we to see our wives, Mr Speaker, instead of cooking our dinners and mending our clothes, spending all their time in reading the Blue Books of this Colony ?” A perceptible shudder runs over the ladies’ gallery, followed by a reassuring expression. The, ladies do not appear to remember that their lords and masters are greatly addicted to the perusal of Blue Books. The House was in a state of huge delight. Look at the domestic discord. Husband: “I don’t think with you on this point; let’s go into those Blue Books.” Here, Mr Fish threw himself into an attitude of violent resignation. Then .the picture of ladies on the floor of the House rouses him, and starts him off on the bosom of another “spate of words.” I can very well understand the delight of some of the younger members; " Oh, yes.” Mr Fish could sea them in his prophetic mind’s eye piloting the fair creatures through the intricacies of Parliamentary procedure, which even the study of Blue Books could not have enabled them to-master.

Mr Bees warmly took the other aide. The progress of the world, the fact that women have to obey the laws we make, the disabilities of woman due to their want of political power, Mr Fish’s want of logic—these and other arguments of the other side give Mr Uses material for a very strong, workmanlike, fluent, cogent speech, brief withal.

To him succeeds Mr Scobie Mackenzie, who sustains Mr Fish in all except his readiness to vote against his convictions — a thing about which Mr Mackenzie is very severe. He ridicules those bon members who are carried away by a little temporary popularity, which the principle has of late obtained. Ho lectures the Government for allowing the lead to go to a private member; he exhausts the subject, and be does more. Why, Sir, at an election, the newspapers will have room for neither leading articles nor advertisements. From the literary world to the domestic circle is but a step, as we all know up here in the gallery, for we take that step pretty often. Mr Mackenzie takes the step now. He mentions the marriage vow. A woman who votes contrary to her husband’s wishes—that is almost impossible he says, because every woman who is worth her salt supports her husband even when he is wrong—but if she would vote independent, I am not so sure if that would not be an infraction of the marriage vow. The House laughs, and is greatly pleased with Mr Mackenzie.

Mr Buckland keeps up the excitement. A champion of the ladies, he says: " Not take interest in politics ? Why, Sir, at the last election the first rotten egg was thrown by a young lady.” Besides the ladies always, Mr Buckland informs the Speaker, listen to him at his political meetings, and whenever he advocates their rights they applauded him "outrageously." Many other wings does Mr Buckland say in his bluff, confident way. After him. Sir George Grey rises. The debate becomes serious once more. We hear the arguments of the hostile speakers in due order, as becomes good debating, and we have some of Sir George’s own ideas and some interesting personal reminiscences woven into the argument with remarkable deftness. Sir George has a bad cough, with which he struggles manfully. He bears testimony to the political aptitude of the ladies whom he has seen so often at public meetings; but the cough gets more and more troublesome, and Sir George has to give up the struggle, explaining that he has much more to say. The House cheers him as he sits down. Mr Bryce asks for THE ADJOURNMENT, pleading that the House has done a good week’s work. In spite of cries of " No,” the Premier gracefully gives way, and then there is a great shouting of " Noes.” The Committee adjourns, nevertheless. When the Committee’s business has been reported to the House, the question of adjournment, moved by the Premier, brings Sir G. Grey to his feet. Sir George scouts the idea of adjourning for social purposes. We are all aware that there is a ball to-night at Government House. He is very earnest, and before he ends his protest he has made the occasion a capital field for his theory of elective Governors.

Mr Duncan is very angry that anybody should want to put on a dress coat. He has a good mind to make a long speech. He never felt fitter. Things look serious, but Mr Duncan relents; he wavers; he finally makes up his mind to be satisfied with a warning. "If such a thing occurs again I shall make a seven hours’ speech.” A desultory discussion follows, during which Mr Taylor accuses the leader of the Opposition of wanting to indulge in the light fantastic, and Mr E. M. Smith drags in the inevitable iron hand, and asks why the Governor didn’t give the ball on a Monday; and Mr M'Guire rises, apparently for no other reason than because he thinks a row is in full swing. The House divides and we all go.