IN THE HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9511, 5 September 1891, Page 5

IN THE HOUSE.

THE ELECTORAL BILL. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* x [from oub own correspondent/] WELLINGTON, Sept. 4. - Dr Pollen’s pension coming into the House in the early part of the Mr Saunders and a chosen band of economists signalise themselves by making a demonstration against this claim in parti* cular, and pensions in general. Mr Saunders, as the Chairman of the Committee, give his reasons for differing from the Committee in toto. Masterton follows with thunder against the Committee for ■ daring to refer the matter to the Govern* ment. So thunderous is he, and so abusive, that Mr Speaker calls him to order very sharply. Mr B. Thompson, who cannot repress his economical instances, falls into the hands of the Speaker also, and Mr Kelly, of Invercargill, narrowly escapes the same fate. The result of the determined set by this chosen band against the claim is that the report is referred back to the Committee. The balance of < the afternoon is taken up by THE ELECTORAL BILL, which is recommitted for amendment. The Maori question stops the Committee for an hour or so. Sir George Grey make*a powerful appeal in favour of the new clause giving all half-castes the option ' between their ordinary and the Maorispecial franchise, pleadis power to, . the Maori race, and pointing out the inadequacy of the special representation. Mr Bolleston stands upon the special representation as the only thing for the Maori for years t- come. The House ends by conferring the t-viviiego on the half* castes—Then

HB BUICK iIABEt; JiRiUKO for stopping all liquor t«\ a3ae fci oaa . He actually reads a clause he rawn up, which prevents you on olactK-, . from giving a friend a glass of jTjar x3Tv-a, iiou£;c. ' With a bland smile ho-, , f asks the House to throw the pall/of total prohibition over the Colony on’ % election day. As soon as the startled 1 House has recovered its breath, it 1 snaps Mr Buick’s monstrosity out of existence with the greatest promptitude. After that the Premier proposes to shut up all the public-houses on election day, and the House resists. Mr Kennedy Macdonald gets up and throws light and foam over the proceedings. "Very necessary, Sir.” What he saw at the lost election in the city of Wellington convinced, him that the public-houses ought to be _clqsed.__ Mr Macdonald, pointing out thaxSvrsuMf-ig expenditure on liquor could not Eavsr~— affected the election unless the hou gentleman spent some money on liquor. Did he f "No, Sir,” thunders Mr Macdonald, while the House laughs and says “ Hear, hear.” 1 Mr Macdonald never spent a penny piece in his life in treating voters. “Of course not,” rises in chorus, while Mr Pish compliments the hon gentleman on hie moderation. Mr Carncross is so shocked that he will move that the clause be confined to the city of Wellington alone. Mr O’Conor comes to the rescue of Wellington. He was in Wellington on the polling day, and remained up till two o’clock in the morning—(there are cries of “Oh, oh”) —without seeing a single drunken man., Several members take shots at the clause. The Blue Ribboaitea keep dark, saying nothing. The clause is discovered to _be badly drawn; it will compel the closing of public houses for all purposes, eating and lodging as well as drinking, and it will do that hideous piece of work, not only on , the general election day, but on all bjre , elections, at each of which every public house would have to close, from the North Cape to the Bluff. The clausa is carefully amended, and then, after Mr Kennedy Macdonald has been duly chaffed,is carefully stamped out by a majority of nineteen. After that the Bill is re-committed, and holds possession almost till dinner time, when it is finally reported and read ft third time. TUB LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BILL getting into. Committee quickly meets, ita first change, the limit of ago being altered from thirty-five to twenty-one years. " Then the House talks about reappointment, and presently the discussion' drifts, under cover of a motion for leaving the chair, into the question of the principle of a second Chamber. Sir G. Grey finds therein his opportunity. He makes ad energetic attack on the Council, in the course of which he does not forget to ruedtion the Friendly Societies Bill, killed the other day. “We must free ourselves from this incubus,” Mr Euckland attacks the veteran by comparing him to a clown, and finds the tables turned upon him by a sudden movement. In the middle of his . picture, as he is dashing, on the colour* with great spirit, “the clown,” says Sit George, pointing at Mr Buckland. The veteran’s eye is observed to wink, and the House roars. After the loss of the motion for adjournment. Sir George moves to reduce the term of office to three years, and there is a long discussion. The Minister for Education relieves the Minister at the chair, and members on both aides talk conversationally. On a division Ministers, Radicals and Opposition go pell mell into the lobby together against the amendment, which is lost by a majority of twenty-three. The figures are twelve against thirty-five. The .veteran comes up smiling with another amendment, “ five years, to be elected as in the manner - . hereinafter provided.” That, he says, will introduce the elective principle. The Chairman divides the amendment., into two, covering respectively the ana the principle. Sir George inarches his little army bravely into the, lobby, and meets defeat once more. The "five years ' ia killed—sixteen to thirty-three. Then the House makes it seven, years on the voices. Mr O’Conor thereupon wants the appointments to be recommended by resolution of the House of Representatives. The Government declines to accept, and the matter drops. A very animated discussion arises on

THE QUESTION OV BEAPFOINTHENT. , Ms K. Thompson wants an interval of, ■

iwet79 months. Mr Fish lead! the protest, layisgthat many Liberals, it ianotoriouß, •rho-o Ave -been sent to the Council have forsaken: their opinions. That kind, of Hung, he argues, must be punished. Cftpts-fa Bussell is surprised at such wholeBidet eondemnation of the true Liberal, a enatu** who throws off his skin as soon as fce geis into a safe place, Mr B. Thompson is very angry at the Opposition; be insists that new blood must be complete. Ox. Bees makes sweeping assertion to the contrary, and the time limit is not adopted. A still more animated discussion follows on

Che question of making the Bill retrospective* During its course'Mr T. Thompson nays that >, -member of the late Govern- , j#enS;fcad -told him that the six -Appoint-, asniai-ef January last were preceded by an Agreement to be bound by any change from the life -tenure that might be made.' There ja »jJsWHenir "in • consequence. Words are bandied Mr ; Bee» denounces such an' agreement as unconstitutional and improper; ho fights hard against so unjust a thing as-treating one section one way and'-shCther section another way. After discussing the clause, it is made retro- • epectivq on the voices. Captain Bussell, hetoite-.thft clause is passed, urges the House to think of the effect of what had iust been done; the Bill may he jeoparThe 'Premier explains that he does aot; ku<sW .anything about the story of the- pledges,.- hut he points out that Sf.,ihe pledges have been given, the Upper House in conference will adopt the amendment; if they have not, they will resist it when the conference comes. He remarks that Captain Bussell night have thrown some light on the •abject, but as he has not, he did. not, of oocne, . ask him. Mr . Bees _ insists vehemently on asking Che ez-Minister the question. There are cries of “Oh, oh.” Mj 'Be&J rejoins that there is no secret. Haft those gentlemen been on the Government Benches they would have had to answer questions on the subject. Clutha crosses jawordp moment. Then there is lively .rallying, .in which appeals are made to the members of the late Govern- ' meat to apeak. When the fire gets too hot, Mr-Bollestoa talks scornfully of hearsay, ■ attacks- tho Government for listening to hearsay, and. ■ manages * 40' rouse Mr T. .. Thompson, who is getting visibly uneasy. ir<*SN- HA it, MASKS. IiATTBES WOESK. by an ciplanation., MgT,,Thompson thereupon clears up the matter by saying that ■ % Minister told - him personally of the pledges, which included retirement. He . tells-.-» moat circumstantial story with great energy, arid he is loudly, applauded by the Ministerial aide, while the Opposition :cHe?a: subside utterly. Clutha seeks to'make bat his statement of what the Minister did not say to him only Wheta-the edge of attack. Once more tbo Ministerial force moves down upon > the es-Miniaters, and insists upon an answer. .Sir-George Grey’s .voice is in the wan, and Mr Bees is very piercing in his demand- -Mr G. P. Richardson humbly •eeks -to stave - off the storm; he really do'ea not' thiak; speaking for himself, that the late Ministers are bound to make any answer to such questions. He is scorned by the enemy, and on his side he has no friend; but Clutha, who presents rather a rueful' countenance. At; this point Mr Thompson gets up arfd gives us th&rfllimajr.- He tells the House deliberately that in caucus the late Premier told the

members .openly exactly what Mr T. 1 Thomson had told them to-night about the pledges. This is received with a fusilade of applause* and reduces the Opposition to absolute dumbness., The clause at once posses. Supper coming mercifully very soon after* the House empties* while the Opposition chiefs sit talking low and shaking. their heads. After supper the clause giving the Council the right of _ sleeting its Speaker was struck out, Mr Ballaace thinking that the appointment should remain with the Crown. A graceful provision about.free passes having been added, the Bill got The Dentists Bill did not keep the loug, and the ■ O csgo'TJai veraity _kepb.-ovowrbo.3y talking for ‘sdme,* l^* Bolleston, Mr r*. Hutchison and Mr Shodgg leadi"° * ae dlßoaßßlQa -