A BREEZE IN THE COUNCIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12587, 23 August 1901, Page 5

A BREEZE IN THE COUNCIL.

/ A MEMBER DEFIANT. [From Our Special Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 22 The calmness which generally pervades the Legislative Council Chamber was seriously disturbed this evening. The clause in the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill dealing with hotels was under consideration, when the Hon G. Jones, in supporting an amendment prohibiting the employment of any female assistant in a bar after 9 p.m., referred to the liquor traffic as a "detestable business," The Hon C. Louisson at once raised a point of order, as to whether such words were not unparliamentary, and the Chairman of Committees ruled that if the words were offensive to members they ought to be withdrawn. The Hon G. Jon«s declined to withdraw the expression, asserting that it was justified, in that eminent judges had attributed nine-tenths of the crimo and misery in the world to the evils of ' the traffic. Several Councillors were of opinion that the words used were nob unparliamentary, others maintained that they were. The. Cluainnan (Captain Bailie) thought that the words ought to be withdrawn an common courbesy,_ and on Mr Jones declining to budge from the position he had taken up, the Minister of Education moved that he should be reported to 'the Speaker for disobeying the ruling of 'he Chairman. This was carried on the voices, and progress being reported, the Council at once adjourned, and members discussed the unexpected incidlent that had occurred.