A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9512, 7 September 1891, Page 2

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

ME BRYCE RESIGNS. [PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! THURSDAY, AUGUST 27. Do you know the effect when tbe firebell rings ? It stops all business, and substitutes chaotic confusion. Everything gives way to the fire. Everybody rushes off to see “ the devouring element ” at work. That is exactly what happened this afternoon-, The firebell rings. There is a raging, roaring conflagration, flames leaping up on all sides of the seething, churning House. We imagine, for a brief, dismal moment that the gallery has been transported.to the side of the howling crater of some volcano. It appears that last night when we were out of the gallery, having been beguiled by the weary collapsing debate to take rest and refreshment, a small Are broke out on the floor of tbe House.

THE TWO MINISTERS FOB LANDS, past and present, bad a bit of a bone to pick, and the friction was, so great that the place was set on fire. But such prompt measures were taken that flihen we returned there was no sign of smoke, even, and the Minister was piloting the Bill quietly into Committee with the calmness and indifference of a lock-keeper operating a canal barge. The high pressure water service known to tbe initiated under the name of withdrawal had been, called into requisition. That at least is the current explanation, and as tbe withdrawal of offensive or non-Parliamentary assertions is nothing new this year, or any other year for that matter, we think but little of it, passing the little conflagration over in silent contempt. But the little fire was not put out finally by any means.

UPROAR ARISES. Members bob up, not serenely, in all directions. They give Mr Speaker an uncommonly bad time of it. There is commotion, as in the crater of a remarkably lively volcano. The words have been withdrawn, Mr Seddon points out. Much worse words have been used about this very matter, Mr W. P. Reeves observes, and he reads from Hansard, Mr Speaker, after the hubbub has gone on for some time longer, gives a ruling. He decides that the second part of the charge, that referring to Mr Campbell’s statement, is the only part that was withdrawn last night. That part, he says, has no existence; it is not of the earth, earthy; the House can no more deal with it than with the immensity of the vacant space round about this planet. He does not take this line, precisely, but that is what he means. As for the first part of the statement, that has, Mr Speaker thinks, not been withdrawn. Mr Richardson has a right to demand a Committee of Inquiry about it.

UPROAR FOLLOWS THE RULING of Mr Speaker. The whole opposition appears to speak at once. The members address knotty questions to the Speaker; they demand from Mr M'Kenzie qualified withdrawal.-.Mr Bryce is yhry earnest, very noticeable in-the crowd of conflicting emotions. The Piemier singles him out for single combat. He complains that he has all the characteristics of an incendiary. Look how ho is heaping fuel on the fire! And it must be admitted that whatever he is doing, Mr Bryce is working with considerable animation, and a something resembling glee, tempered by all the signs of caution. It is a disrespect to the chair, Mr Baliance insists. There is wrangling, not protest, and much worrying, out of which Mr Bryce rushes crying out that

“ THE PREMIER OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OP HIMSELF,”

The Premier .flames: Mr Bryce flames higher. Mr Speaker thinks the words must be retired. Mr Bryce absolutely refuses: "Never, Sir.” All eyes are on him. At this point the Speaker orders the galleries to be cleared, and they are cleared with the exception of the ladies’ gallery, which none of the officers of the House dare interfere with. Coming events cast their shadows before them. We feel that lovely women will very soon be in possession of the floor of the House by right of membership, and even , Ministership. What is the use of turning them out once or twice in the meantime ? As we go (we ore not protected by any scruples on the part of anybody) we hear Mr Baliance moving to have Mr Bryce’s words taken down.

MR REES MOVES " That this House regrets that the words were used by.the hon member for Waikato, even with the addition of the words added by the hon member for Waikato.” Thereupon Mr Bryce retires and waits somewhere, (in a dungeon cell it is suggested by the wags) while the House debates. Mr O’Conor tries to mollify the House with an amendment, but the House will not have it, and alter a discussion, the dinner hour, which cannot be excluded, comes in and interrupts. MR SPEAKER SENDS FOR MR BRYCE, and Mr Bryce comes in attended by the Sergeant-at-Arms. There is deep silence in the chamber. The galleries, right and left, and opposite the chair, are crammed. The people look on with an interest which is intense. The House is full. Mr Bryce bows profoundly to the chair, and walks to his place. When there, Mr Speaker reads him the resolution of the House, as his duty bids him, he explains. Mr Bryce then reads what he was going to read in the House when things took their had turn. He accepts the position, his voice vibrating with emotion. He declares solemnly that the words were not used by him in any vile sense whatever. He would be indeed ashamed of himself if they had been. He denounces the scourge of the Government Whips, which has forced the House into this resolution. _ He rebukes the Government for having made a party question of this He refers to his long service, during which he has been proud of the fact that he was never called to order from the chair. He is proportionately miserable at the censure passed upon him. He bows to the decision of the House, but he will not submit. He must retire to consider his position. Sleep may bring ease to his mind. At present he cannot say whether he will ever come back to his place. He takes his hat and walks out, bowing with deep respect tc the chair as he goes. You might hear 2 pin drop as he passes out. MONDAY, AUGUST 31Mr Rees, when the House assembles opens up the Bryce by asking a question' without and, after that question, Mr Scohie Mackenzie enables us to get the Speaker 1 ruling on the whole question. Before w? get that we have to listen to a long discus sion which springs up and keeps the Houb lively for an hour or so. At last i MR SPEAKER GIVES BIS RULING. He begins at the point ivhere S’ Richardson struck the first match Whit led to the whole_ conflagration the othr morning, and he details the whole of to facts from that to the final passing of to resolution about the member for JVaikat Briefly put it comes to thisMr Speak 1 declares that the words were unparh mentary,that he had decided them to bee, that they had been taken down accor-

ing to the forms prescribed in kook, that Mr. Bryce had had every of doing what was right, that the wb the proceedings were in every re ?P correct, that tbe House came to a ]U gment absolutely correct in every respe . So he goes on. He is interrupted once or twice by Mount Ida, whose behaviour the signal for peremptory cries o "order,” "sit down,” bat he holds bis ground, and the Speaker resolves his doubts with great patience ™ T J clearly. It is noticeable that Mr Speake pays a very high tribute to Mr Bryce, who, he says, has always been ?? os „ courteous, moat considerate, most kmcuy to the chair; and having paid that tribute he declares that Mr Bryce took up an attitude which was not to be expected from him. The concluding remarks are hardly over, when Sir J onn Hall has a few words, and the Speaker having answered him, Mr Eolleston rises to intimate that he has A COMMUNICATION TO MAKE, but first he would like to know whether the Premier will take the course indicated. The Premier intimates that if Mr Bryce will meet him half way, he will move to rescind the vote of censure and have it expunged from the records. " Can we not adjourn till half-pastseven to let the Speaker use the good offices he has offered to the House?” Mr Eolleston rises promptly. He holds in his hand a letter. He cannot agree, on the part of his hon friend, to accept the position of a suppliant. He hands the letter to the Speaker, who reads it to the House. It is simply the resignation of Mr Bryce of his seat for the Waikato. Mr Eolleston wants to know what the Premier is going to do? The Premier thinks there is no necessity to make up his mind just then. Mr Eolleston insists. The Speaker, at his request, rules that the rule is that there must be no unnecessary delay. Mr Rolleston insists that unless the Premier moves there and then, it will be unjust to the constituents of Mr Bryce. The Opposition members support him, and the Ministerialists make demonstration against them. Mr Eolleston insisting, the Premier formally moves for the issue of a writ, and then Mr Eolleston moves the addition of his amendment to expunge the resolution of censure from the records. The amendment is received with signs of Ministerial disapproval, and on the motion of the Premier, the House adjourns at half-past four till half-past seven.

IN THE EVENING the House meets prepared for a contest, and the galleries are crammed with people who have come to see. The Premier opens the proceedings with quiet decision. The Government cannot accept the amendment. " Too late.”