POLITICAL NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LV, Issue 9970, 3 August 1893, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

There is another adjCutninent ; according to th* dfdly Custom. Mr Fergus, who has only , been back a day or so, is the mover. Pro*; voked he is by the answer given by the Trea- j surer to a question of Mr Alien’s-. The .Mr Williams against whom a certaih accusation had been levelled, Mr Ward said, Was the same Williams wh i had received a sum of money undet th'o provisions of the West Coast Settlements Act, adding that Mr Williams had been appointed Native Interpreter by Sir Harry Atkinson’s Government. Mr Fergus resents this, and moves the adjournment of the I Home. He puts his whole yoip) into a protest against this disrespect to Sir Harry 8 memory. Mr Ward disclaims the imputation. He had ’ airttpljf intended to show tfiat the selection by ihe former Government of any after a; serious charge had been brought against hi to 1 was evidence that he was thought by them to be : not guilty. On this subject the House see- ; sawed.for ft’A hour, Mr G Hutchison reading; from the Gazette the appointment of Mr Wil- ; liarns, signed by Mr Fergus in the absence .of j the Native Minister. Mr Taipua foitod the ‘ scent, and, giving tongue*. econ. had the House on the story thb Cheque taken by Mr Williams ftom the Muons, to be cashed, and of the disappearance of the money in Mr Williams’ bankruptcy. After the Opposition had been in full cry on this line for soma time, the Premier intimated that this Mr Williams wag an .employee of tr. 6 Public Trustee, not of the, Native Department at all, the rotfcentfbs's’cf Which had been denounced so elo'quo'ntly by so many members. Sir John llc.ll and Mr Rolleaton scornfully reject the idea that this makes any difference. Sir Robert Stout points out that the man was the agent of the Natives all through, and if he got public money it raUst have been with their cognisance for services rendered, in arranging meetings and gettiiig signatures, not for land purchase dr any fiduciary Work of any kind. Mr Allen gives tongu’6 On the scent of the enquiry held into this matter, and we learn how the whole business had been investigated, by a committee of the House, which had referred the Maori complainants to the law officers who had advised that they could not take criminal proceedings, and that it would be useless to set the civil law in motion. Mr F-. M. Smith carries us on this line a KDe further, telling us that Mr Williams is a highly honourable gentleman, as he knows after an experience of thirty year*, adding that he got paid for services of the * most important and honourable * kind in getting the Maoris to accept the much belauded West Coast Settlements Bill of 1892 As to tin cheque story* hs kn’dwfc not the ins and outs of that, but he knows that Mr WdlUaifts had claims against the Maoris for thousands, plainly suggesting a set off. Mr Fish taken the hunt through the Dun’edin hospital, apropos dc holies, declaring, as he dashes into that building at the head of the pack, that ha hates these perpetual tootiona foi.* adjournment. After that Mr Fergus replies, sticking to his point in spite of all that has been said, aud the adjournment interlude is over.

Light play with some motions and a good deal of scolding of both sidesof the House both sides of the House carries the Ko'fog tO dinner.

After diftneS 1 2; tremendous crowd is stuffed into Ho galleries to hear the great debate on the liquor traffic. It is the field night, long deferred ; every member in his place, and the members from another place are in force among the spectators.

Sir Robert Stout rises at tliS Appointed hoiir, Bill in hand, armed at all pbiiUs for. His attack on the • great curse of civilisation,’ as he calls it at a fate*: fc&gi. He is warm, earnest, im.pretjsV're, k's a champion should be. Like a prudent man he sketches hia Bill, and, having sketched, he becomes diplomatically persuasive, It is but a small thing this, in the way of reform, sir. He points out how email. But it will bo sufficient for a long time if Accepted. He dwells on this diplomatic IfnS fCr £6nio tinw.

Brefc%nlly hi 6 c£o kindles, and his voice of diplohhacy takes a note of warning. What do lion, members want ? Do they want to leave this question alone so that at the general election it may be the only question before the people. * A terrible day for New Zealand,’ho says in ringing tones, very impressive, when politics are reducedjto Veto ot no Veto. That stroke he follows with a powerful warning; There is such a tremendous agitation throughout the land, that if this is not accepted now the ttefcb demand will be far greater-. ; 'l’m hot afraid,’ comes froihJßlr Fish, sitting majestically upright in hiajcornei*. • Not afraid/ retorts Sir Robert, with scorn in his voice. *lt reminds me of a very old saying about a certain kind of people rushing in where angels fear to walk,’ The tension of the House relieves itself with a brisk laugh, which goes crackling round. Then the House settles down once more to Sir liobeit.

lie advises the House in the interest of good Government to pass this Bill. He cannot think how they can hesitate. He nails his colours to the mast of bare majority—if they spoil the measure for the sake of a specified proportion, things will not he so palatable in future. Hs declines to say a word against the licensed victuallers; he defends the Prohibitionists—a little exaggerated no doubt, but a natural enough criticism. He comes to his climax early, alluding feel* ingly to the loss of the Victoria and her many gallant men dragged down to death. There are many Victoria disasters In this Colony every year ; he describes them, souls perishing from drink; be deplores their fall; bo takes the highest ground of morality, quoting impressively from St Paul, Most eloquently he appeals to the House to help in this great humanitarian work. Fervent, warm, earnest he is. '

To the astonishment of the House he comes rapidly to Ms peroration, and ends his speech before he has been on his feet quite half an hour.

Mr Saunders, as the father of the House, welcomes the Bill, reviews the history of temperance legislation in New Zealand, gravely refers to the unnatural appetites that have been developed, rebukes the apathy of the Temperance Party, refers pathetically to his late friend Sir William Fox. He deplores the condition of humanity—‘some men wiser than serpents, others more wise but as helpless as doves, 1 He is very grave, very earnest, very Nestorian ; and he accepts the .Bill. Colonel Fraser speaks in a loud voice, which gets louder as he warms up against the Bill, Ho has nob breath to call it by its right name, and he calls it. He describes the awful dulnesa of certain bush townships where nobody drinks.

Marsden rises to a point of order. He’s on my ground, sir ; order him off. Mr Speaker declines as a matter of course. Colonel Fraser follows up his discomfited foe with snorting indignation. * Oh, Ho 1 It’s easy to see that an election is not far off/ and on that text he raps out a string of fierce diatribes, the bombastic exaggeration of which sets the House off in a roar.

Calming down, he gets to Scripture, and quotes the celebrated and rather threadbare advice ‘ to take a little wine for the stomach’s sake/ But be does not do it in a threadbare way at all. On the contrary, he does it as a man who has been impressed for ths first time, and the House greets him with much laughter. The Colonel works himself up once more to fever heat, bill he gets to his topmost height. Then he waves an impressive arm to the House ; he denounces this attempt to ruin the revenue at * one swell woopat which there is a general guffaw—after which he warns the House not to rush headlong down like a swine into the sea. The House receives the sally with a yell, as something new in relation to temperance. Then he declares that ‘ this U a one-man Government, and that man is not in it/ and sits down in a fine frenzy. When the Premier gets up all eyes are upon him. A whisper goes round, * What is he going to say?’ He faces the whisper quite calmly. Quite his burly self he is as he goes. He describes how he received the temperance deputation, which he praises for its intelligence and good sense. Must impressed he was indeed ; he was so impressed that he said he would confer with his colleagues on the subject. There is a laugh or two. He then describes the brewers' deputation, , which also impressed him very much ; very much indeed ; so much so that he likewise said he would confer with his colleagues. As the House laughs again, he says it will be quite evident that the Government is unpledged. But he is prepared to say what they are going to do. The House leans forward and peers at him to hear what this is. He takes a little time to say it in his good-humoured way, but he mokes it very clear that the Government will be en* lirely guided by the House. He exhorts the House to neither protract nor obstruct the debate, to talk fair and square and short, and c une quickly to a decision. Whatever that may be the Government will take it up, and if the decision is in favour, the Government will dovisca measure which ho undertakes to predict will be satisfactory to all. The smiles, and there are interjections, among which we notice a familiar rasp distinctly prominent. The interjections break into a guffaw. As an individual, the Premier will vote for the second reading. Mr Bruce slaps the Government’s face—for not having taken the initiative—takes up the Bill, and caresses it in dulcet tones for a few minutes. 1 1 am ready at the invitation of my hun friend the member of Inangahua to give up my luxury for my neighbour’s benefit/ he says. He will vote fur the second reading. Then he puts the Bill down. Fie, for a naughty Bill 1 ’ Not a word about compensation in it.* Many other faults it has. He leaves the Bill and goes to Amend, where he is discovered describing ths f ulure of Prohibition in that great country.

Mr W. Hutchison gives the Bill a calm and venerable support, and administers to the Government a calm and venerable rebuke. The Premier voted on a former—

‘Private member,’ expostulates the Premier.'

Mr Hutchison shakes his venerable head, while many voices call out that the Premier’s distinction represents a real difference. Mr Hutchison gets bqck to his speech.

* Trust the people,' ho says, and he sticks to that to the end*

Mr W. P. Reeves puts the Bill aside ho ia sorry he cannot vote for second reading, but he !a pledged not to change the liquor laws during the present Parliament. He says this quietly* like a man who does not like to have to explain ; and he says so. Then ho comes to his own views, and he at once warms up. He says straight what is in him; he speaks foarles-ly, and without reservation, bo the consequences what they may. Direct veto by a bare majority he goes against horse, foot and dragoons. Prohibition he has no sympathy with, as it U impossible and undesirable. Many sit still and start, and many cry ‘ hear, hear,’ encouragingly; on the other hand he does hot bold with the brewers who want nothing done. He appeals to the moderate men of the House and of the G donV to turn aside from vested interest*, retrain from tying themselves to the Prohibitionists, and make up tlrtif minds to cure the deplorable evils of the liquor traffic, which he deplores as much as anyone, by regulation. Prohibition he returns to. Jjle ttrlhos the key-note of his idee.-, falling Prohibition asceticism Where will it stop ?he asks. Flesh meat, whole nations have abjured it, and com,pelled others to do so ; are we to come to that! How many things are there in the vroVld which are charming ajid excellent. Let them lift their eyes from the foot; let them look at a certain portion o\ the gallery. The House divining ,what is coming looks up at the ladies’gallery and smile*** * Asceticism * V*a* til rite d lU attention to the charging sex he tells the House, whole communities of ascetics have tried prohibition;, is that to be justified because the ladles sometimes do a good deal of mischief? Then there. U gambling ; he oh thd evils of gambling, and b'qtae racing one or its strongest on abodes. Prohibition, to be logical, would abolish the thoroughbred horse.

The Middle Ages in their asceticism tried sumptuary laws, hub that practice had to be given up as unworkable. Socialism has come with aseqticiaifl in its hand. Bat they ana two Very different things. ‘ Trdshthe hecple/’heSays, looking over at Mr HutchisOh, They are to be .trusted, aod they are trusted, he intimates, but is there anything analogous to this, he wants u tQ know. He reviews the working, of our Constitution fo show that there h nothing like a bare veto for carrying: cmy nto&'ure. Among checks aqd gafegu uds and formalities he journeys for some time.

Mrßeev3sis certain that reform is preferable to Prohibition, On the .pulffect or reform lie has very dcO.mtb ideasMr/Esibt has said tha* It is not possible. He differs from tna't gentleman. He thinks it is the duty of the Legislature to devise a measure of reform effectual, substantial, workable. He dwells on the subject, developing it at great leh.glb., He summarises his argument eloquently, declares fol* the mddqtate'cause between the extremes, ■proncttncca for a veto by something like a three-fifths majority, insists upon safeguards and checks, and nails hia colours to the mast without fear of consequences. As he sits down he gets warm applause for bis earnest,eloquent effort, and straightforward speaking.

Mr Taylor follows for a Very jiHefc going over to Sir and suddenly collaprfia. Sir Robert Stout gets qp, tfie heart c? the .Hoftso ia in its itiouth, the debate appears to be about to collapse.. But that wofild be tot) touch “joy. Mr Fish* who has been letting, the other! toake tlie runnhig, leaps to Ills fiet. He complirhents Mr Beeves, hb-rasps at Inangahua, and he says, * i have eleven reasons against this Bill/ The House groans, and two of tho eleven reasons hold us, with the aid of great authorities and their works, till supper. After supper Mr Fish details his reasons and authorities to a quorum which bivouacs resignedly. At a quarter to 12 Mr Bruce draws attention to the state of the House, but Mr Speaker affirms there is a House. Mr Fish goes on, the quorum sleeps on in its bivouac, A plan comes in looking sleepy and Wofch, atoap goes out limp and don.e ttp, bovVing With feeble solemnity to. the chair, as he goes. Mr Fish goes ttn reading and talking.. At 2 a.to. there is ho change In the spirit of this dream. There is a wicked Whisper that another toetouer is reKdy to follow the eternal Fish, and that he is good for four hours. We leave the little pienfo to its little joys. In fact after the Chairman of Committees relieve? the chair, the galleries are cleared and we have to go. A little knot of temperance gentlemen in a neighbouring gallery go too, looking sorrowfully relieved.