THE REPRESENTATION STONEWALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8556, 26 July 1889, Page 2

THE REPRESENTATION STONEWALL.

THE CITY MEMBERS REINFORCED. : WAITING FOR THE CITIES TO SPEAK. (Fbom Oto Special Cobbesponbent.j Wellington, Jaly 2S.

At 2 o'clock this morning the galleries were cleared of strangers, and of coarse the reporters had to go too—much to their chagrin; for although on stonewalling occasions there is no public business to record, there is often very good fun. Bat we can generally manage to piece together the gist of what goes on. I hear that Dr Fitchett was master of the ceremonies for .the stonewallers, and having sent one-half to bed to be ready as a reserve, had the others all ticked off to keep the dance going in regular succession for the night. The doctor is alert and active, but.at the present stage of his Parliamentary career a shade confident, and innocent of the devious bye-ways of the Standing Orders. He started with Mr Fish, who was wound up for two hours and a-half, and got through with a few trifling encounters with the acting Speaker (Mr Hamlin), and with for the other side Messrs Hislop and Richardson, representing the Government. Mr Fish finished, went off to bed, and was succeeded by Mr Fisher, who talked the most perfect twaddle in a low, impressive, and very earnest tone; and he in his turn gave way to Mr Goldie, who flows

like a running stream, and is one of Nature's most perfect stonewallers. He was in turn succeeded by Mr Joyce, who would, and I believe did, try the patience of a stonewall itself. Just at this moment Mr Scobie Mackenzie was observed to be in a thoughtful mood, particularly so for a man who up to that time was supposed to be asleep. Then he bad a moment's conversation with Mr Macarthur, which latter gentleman had a friendly conversation with Dr Fitchett, the two together ultimately leaving the chamber in the most friendly way. Shortly after they were gone Mr Joyce sat down, when the member for Mount Ida suddenly moved the previous question. This motion is only known as a means of shelving a bill, and there was a good deal of natural astonishment that it should be moved from such a quarter. I may as well confess that until to-day I. never altogether understood the mysteries of the previous question, which is not the previous question at all, but when translated means that the main question^hall be at once put But the previous question ia only used for shelving a bill or motion, and in order that it may be so, it is always put that it may be negatived, and the mover and seconder always vote with the "noes." To the member for Mount Ida occurred the brilliant idea that it might be put and carried, in which case the main question would have to be put at once, the stonewall would break down, and the bill go into committee. It was astutely calculated that the enemy would know nothing about the previous question, and that before they had time to recover from their surprise and find that they conld not debate the previous question itself, the bill would be in committee. The lawyers-like suspicion of Dr Fitchett was feared, hence he was lured to a friendly smoke in the lobby. Alas, for the best

| laid schemes of mice and men ! The stonewall was just in the act of toppling over when Mr [ Jones, of Heathcote, one of the quietest and most inoffensive men in the House, and who was down for a stonewall speech, got up to ask, with a very puzzled countenance, what the previous question was all about. The Acting Speaker was arrested in his course, a few more questions were asked, and out came the fact that the previous question itself could be pretty nearly stonewalled like the main question. Mr Hamlin at first thought it could not, and stopped Mr Jones, but afterwards had to admit that the whole question could be traversed. Hearing what was up, Dr Fitchetfc had rushed into the chamber, with bis hair on end, and, finding the coast clear, commenced to speak. He had been on his legs for five minutes, when Mr Eugene O'Conor called out, "Question, question." Upon this Dr Fitehott, in momentary confusion, sat down, and when he rose again with recovered nerve found that the act of resuming his seat had concluded his speech.

As morning broke relays of stonewallers came in, and all efforts were at an end. I hear that when these found their confreres were talking to the previous question they were much elated at having two questions to debate instead of one, and proposed to get up a testimonial to Mr Scobio Mackenzie for providing them with so much more stonewalling material. I find, however, that this is not the case, and that the previous question shuts out all possible amendments, so that the shot which failed in one direction was not unsuccessful in another.

To return to the sequence of events. Mr Fish spoke till 4 20, and during his speech was arguing tbat country members bad better opportunities thau city members of seeing their constituents, city members being engaged all day long at business. " Take the case of the Dunedin members," said Mr Fish: "where will the constitaents of the member for Dunedin Central have to seek for their representative ? Sittiug in the Supreme Court, sir, in wig and gown. Where will the member for Dunedin West be found, sir?" But before he could supply the answer Mr Scobie Mackenzie ejaculated, "Sitting on a rail, sir," atd Mr Fish appeared to be quite satisfied with that. Messrs Fisher, Joues, Fitchett, Allen, and Goldie, carried the discus-

idou up to 8 o'clock. After the breakfast adjournment, Mr Moss took up the running till 1 o'clock, when he was followed by Dr Newman. About half-past 9 the Hons. Taiaroa and Shrimski entered the gallery set apart for Legislative Councillors, but were immediately ordered to withdraw, and the doors of all the galleries were looked by Colonel De Quincy. At 1 o'clock Mr K. Reeves asked the Speaker to adjourn the House for luncheon. Sir. M, O'Rorke, who had been in the chair since 8 a.m., cheerfully agreed to this course, saying he would be content to take the voices on the suggestion. The " ayes" pnt forth all their strength, but Sir H. Atkinson insisted that a division should be taken on the question, the result being that the motion for adjournment was lost by 32 to 10. Shortly after 2 o'clock two waggon loads of mattresses, pillows, and blankets were brought to the front door of the Parliament Buildings,

and tho bedding material, for the uso of the country party, taken to the Government whip's room, and there placed under lock and key. Information of this provision for comfortably withstanding the siege being conveyed to the city members in the House, the latter threatened to raise a question of breach of privilege on the ground that it amounted to intimidation, but nothing came of it. Meanwhile the scouts of the city party determined to possess themselves of the enemy's baggage, and one agile member of that party succeeded in getting through the window of the Government whips' room, and effecting an entrance, commenced to. throw the bedding out of the window. A messenger who had been pressed into the service

received the articles, which had been declared contraband of war, and carried them to the window of the Opposition whips' room, where they were carefully deposited. When the theft was discovered n truce between the contending parties in the lobby was called, and a compro- ' raise effected by which one party are to retain .possession of tho blankets, the other party to lake the mattresses. Neither side saw much advantage in this. The bedding was subsequently removed from the building and returned to the warehouse from which it had been obtained. Whilst thiß was going on Dr Newman held the floor of the House, and whilst delivering his speech tried to obtain some rest by leaning against a seat. Mr Seddon raised a point of order, asking Mr Hamlin, who had relieved the Speaker,

to rule that a member must stand whilst addressing the House. Mr Hamlin gravely censured the member for Thorndon for taking up such an undignified stand, "which was quite contrary to the Standing Orders." Dr Newman apologised, and proceeded with his remarks till 3 30, when Mr Perceval took up the running, and till 5 30, when a discussion arose on the suggestion of an adjournment for dinner. The Premier declined to adjourn, but upon being pressed by Captain Russell and other members on his own side, said if the country members wanted a rest ha would agree to adjourn for half an hour. This was scornfully declined by Mr Moss, who said tho city members wanted no concession from the Premier; but eventually the half hour's adjournment was agreed to by the Premier.

There is no intention of opening the galleries

until the bill reaches committee, and no adjournments except for meals are to be allowed. City members, however, are confident that they will be able to compel the supporters of the bill

to give way. At any rate, if they do not effect this they can carry on the stonewall till Sunday, by which time it is hoped meetings will have been held in the chief cities of the colony pro-

testing against the bill. Such a meeting is to be held here to-morrow night, at which Sir George Grey will preside. It is convened by Messes Fisher and Iz&rd,

City members appear to have a thoroughly well-organised plan of campaign. They have a number of speakers yet on the motion that the questioD be now put, and are keeping two men iv reserve to move the adjournment of the debate, on which all can speak again. Several country members, who object to a display of what has been characterised as brute force against the city members, have intimated that they willlend them ahand,and are ready to speak for several hour 3 whenever called upon. >Vhen the bill roaches the committee stage all sorts of amendments will be moved, and the proceedings can be protracted to any length. For instance, amendments to include all the smaller towns in

the proposed division af cicy populations will be separately moved in tEe caee of each town and borough. This alone opens op1 wonderful possibilities. It will be remembered that doting last session the Efative members engaged in a stonewall on their own account. They were assisted by several other members, notably that prince or stonewallera, Mr Reeves, of Inangahtia. On that occasion' Taiwhanga, under a deep sense of tfiatitude for assistance rendered, promised to discharge the debt on the first opportunity. Now | Mr Reeves, being a country member, cannot very well stonewall- the measure before the House, but, like an old war horse that snorts at the sound of the trumpet, he can with difficulty restrain himself from plunging into the thick of the fight, or, as he expresses himself, " From . having a chip in." Although he cannot do so himself, he has now called upon Taiwhanga to discharge the debt of gratitude for help given him last session, and Taiwhanga has Announced his willingness to speak for two or threo hours

if necessary.. As I write, the following manifesto from Mr B. Reeves, addressed to Mr Seymour, chairman of the country party,is placed in my hands:— Vhuniiy. 35th July. My Dear Sir,—l write to request that you will not consider ma as being one Of the supporters of tbe Representation Bill now before' the Houae. My reasons for declining to support the bill are mainly based upon id avowed character as a Tory measure. It i» openly admitted by the bill's leading advocates that its chief intent is to weaken the Liberal party in the large towns, and throw political power into the bands of squatteta and large landowners. It is admitted that thd eKief supporters of the bill are also the strongest enemies of the Liberal party la past years, and to whifth I have always belonged. A very objectionable feature In the measure is the proposal to treat towns of 2000 people and upwards as part of country districts, and to give them the advantage of the country quota, to which on no principal whatever are they entitled.. I wish also to enter, my strong protest against the tyrannical and unjustifiable haste with whlohthe bill was introduced and debated before the ink was dry on the copies circulated, and with which It it now being forced through by main strength before the constituencies have any chance given them of fairly understanding its provisions.—l am, &c, Hichakd H. Beeves. To A. K. Seymour'; Bit]., obairman of Country Members' Committee. . '.

Dr Fitchett and Mr Allen, who were in charge of the city party last night, have gone to woo

" nature's sweet restorer," and very perfect arrangements have been made to carry the debate on till morning, when those who axe now seeking test will resume their duties. There have been several scenes during the evening, but none of any great importance. Mr Withy was travelling rather wide of the mark, and proceeding to show that nails in the bottom of a ship had something to do with tbe question of representation, when a point of order was raised by, Mr Kerr. Sir H. A. Atkinson and Sir J.

Hall joined issue with the member for Hotueka, and denounced the proceedings as disorderly and

obstructive. Mr Withy turned on his late friends in gallant style, and plainly informed them they had formed a very poor estimation

of his character if they supposed they could intimidate him. Mr Marchant has been playing the part of a good Samaritan, feeling that after the way city members have been treated by the Government and country members they deserved assistance even from those who were opposed to them, and, although himself a country member, he gave city members a rest to-night by filling the breach for them for just on three hours. Aa I write (11.30) Mr Fish has taken up the running, and, judging from the tones of his voice, appears to bo as fit as a fiddle.

(Fbom Odb Own Coebbspondent.) Wellington, July 25. The stonewall on the Representation Bill continues in full force. The House has now been sitting continuously for 25 hours, and all arrangements are made on both sides to protract the bill until midnight on Saturday at least. After the galleries were cleared this morning shortly before 2, the stonewalling weut on merrily.

The excitement over the bill is increasing, and several fresh secessions from the ranks of its supporters are announced. It is understood that Mr Hutchison has withdrawn among others, and will assist the opponents of the bill, and

Taiwhanga has declared his determination to speak at least for an hour or two possibly on the side of the stonewaUers. Mr Richard Beeves also has proclaimed his opposition to the bill, and has intimated this to Mr Seymour, chairman of the country members. Messrs Fisher and Izard have called a meeting of the electors of Wel-

lington East and South to hear their explanation of the nature of the Representation Bill and the injury it will inflict on cities. There is some talk of Dr Newman and Mr Menteath taking a similar step. Early this evening there was some talk about a House of Commons precedent having been,, discovered, which it was_ believed would.enable the Speaker to pub down factious obstruction. Every accessible copy of " May " and "Todd "has been eagerly seized upon and studied from title page to finish by all the members, as well as by the Speaker, Chairman of Committees, and Clerk of Parliament. The general opinion, however, was that there was no precedent going1 beyond the ruling of the Speaker and chairman on the stonewalling on the Representation Bill of 1881, and that so long as the semblance of rational and relevant discussion could be kept np it could not properly be checked; so that if the Oppositionists have sufficient ingenuity to vary their speeches in matter and to be more or less relevant, they will be able to hold their own without legitimate interference for an almost indefinite period. * It is understood that Mr Larnach is going to

move when in committee to turn the bill into a measure repealing the redaction of members. I hear that -the precedent on which some members are relying to quash the stonewall is the action of Speaker Brand in the House of Commons on the 2nd February 1881, when the Protection of Persons and Property (Ireland) Bill was under discussion, and the House sat continuously for 41 hours. He then said that

time had been wasted by dilatory motions for adjournment and otherwise, and that he considered he should consult the dignity of the House by putting the question at once without calling on any further speakers, and this was

done accordingly. It is rumoured, however, that yet soother precedent has been unearthed in the House of Commons journals. Dr Newman continued his speech till about a quarter past 3, when he gave place to Mr Perceval, who, including half an hour's adjournment at 6, talked till 8 o'clock in the evening. Mr Withy followed, and made a good speech, which lasted till 10 p.m. He was frequently interrupted by points of order from the Government benches, and it is understood that he is exceedingly annoyed at the unfair way in which he was treated. Mr Merchant fulfilled his promise to

the town members by taking up the running after Mr Withy, and continued, including an adjournment of half an hour at 10.30, till 11 30. So far, it must be confessed, that the speeches of opponents of the bill—although, of course, made with purely obstructive intentions —have been,as

a rule, so far relevant to the question that they could'not with fairness be checked. Indeed, the speeches generally have been really good ones, and not merely factious criticisms of the bill.

It is noticable that town members seem growing more and more jubilant and confident, whereas country members show increasing signs of irritation and impatience. The necessity of being always on the alert to keep a House is beginning to tell on their nerves and physical powers, .is they can never be sure of an undisturbed Rleep owing to the frequent demands that the House be counted, which necessarily involves the inquiry of " that dreadful bell" and the destruction of all peaceful slumbers. On the other hand the opponents of the bill having definitely arranged the order of speeches can take ample rest in turn.

The Ministerial side strenuously object to the briefest adjournment for refreshment, one member declaring loudly he wonld not give the stonewallers a single second, but nevertheless the usual half-hour's intermission for supper took place.

An amusing incident occurcd this afternoon. It appears that the Government supporters in the country party, wishing to make themselves comfortable during the night's stonewall, arranged with Mr M'Gregor, the Government whip, to have a number of blankets and mattresses put in the Government whip's room for their accommodation, the cost being defrayed by. a levy on the members using them. The blankets and mattresses were accordingly obtained,the room was turned into a regular barracks. For security Mr M'Gregor locked the door, and went away with the key in his pocket hippy. The arrangements had been seen, however, by the Opposition members of the country party, including Messrs Richard Seddon and Scobie Mackenzie. A deep plot was at once laid. Mr Scobie Mackenzie was to entice Mr M'Gregor into Bellamy's while Mr Seddon annexed the bedding for the use of the Opposition. Mr Seddon managed to get in by the window, and with the assistance of a messenger began to bundle the blankets and mattresses into the Opposition whip's room. The plot would have been completely successful had not Mr Scobie Mackenzie failed to inveigle Mr-M'Gregor into Bellamy's. He got wind, however, of what was going on, and on going round found Mr Seddon busy in his nefarious plan. He was banding the mattresses through the window to the messenger, who took them to Mr Feldwick, who aoted asjreceiver of stolen goodsin the Opposition whip's room. A vigorous pillow fight ensued as soon as Mr M'Gregor appeared, and after a brief engagement the enemy retired with only a portion of the plunder. Ultimately as no compromise could be arranged, the bedding was all sent hack to the shop where it came from. The battle while it lasted is said to have been a very amusing one, and somewhat resembled an Irish eviction. The reason why the bedding was sent back is not quite clear, but it is said that members feared that some of Mr Kerr's " shammies " might be lodging on board. Many members, including Government supporoers, say the Government have tumbled into a very awkward hole. The opponents of the bill, now that their drooping courage has been revived, are very determined not to allow it to pass. If they succeed in holding out and rousing the big towns, it is quite possible that the Government may have to withdraw the bill by putting it down the order paper. Should they do this the country members would at once move and carry a want-of-confidence motion.

Sir R. Stout telegraphed to Mr Fish this afternoon to say that the majority of the inhabitants of Dunedin sympathise" strongly with the town members in their struggle, and that the action of the Government has weakened them very much.

During $£t Moss' speeoh this afternoon so affldsrag incident occurred. Dr Hodgkinson and Mr O'Coiior were sitting together talking, when Mr Moss expressed a hope that they would listen to him. " Two mischievous devils," he exclaimsd loudly as he continued his speech. The House wSs atattled, and he was promptly called to Older by the Speaker. Mr Moss explained that he was reading from a book. " I cannot allow such a book to be quoted," was the Speaker's severe reply. "But, »ir," said Mr Moss, "this is ffiO'Hansard' report of a speech by Judge Richmond, and the two mischievous devils referred to are the two representatives of bills of 1858, which weie not one whit more mischievous than the bill now beiore us. It is said that the latest proposal for a compromise on the bill is that the 25 per cent. deduction should be extended to boroughs of over 2000 population. ■ - •' ' _ The rota of speakers arranged by the town party are-Mr Fish, beginning at 1130 pm., followed by Messrs Fisher, Barron, Menteatb, Joyce, Goldie* Taylor, Hutchison, a.'aiwhanga, and R. Reetes. This little list will fill the time till 730 to-morrow (Friday) morning at the very least. At -that hour further arrangements will be made, it necessary; and it is expected that some time between 12 and 1 o'clock in the afternoonthe " adjournment of the House " will be moved by Mr Loughrey and seconded by Mr T. Thompson. Then all begin again denovo. Some of in© speakers profess their ability to keep going for 10 hours apiecs on the main question, aud they declare that they will prevent the bill getting into committee before Tuesday next. The question of whether the House will Bit on Sunday 19 already a matter of speculation. It will thus be seen that when Mr Scobie Mackenzie moved " the previous question," instead of (as he supposed) dishiDg the town- members, he haS« done them substantial service. ■ When in committee on the bill, it is understood that town members will have a large map of New Zealand with all the towns marked on it. They will then move seriatim that each town be pot on the same footing as regards the quota as the chief centres of the colony. Each motion will be spoken to at .length, and as the division will be insisted on, it will thus be seen that the obstruction so far is mere child's play compared with what the bill will meet in committee.

In the appendis to the journals of 1881 there is a paper showing the population of the proposed electoral districts under the bill of 1881 with a total of 91 members. The quota for country districts was to be less than the quota for town districts by as nearly as possible 25 per cent. The paper puts the qnota fox country districts at 5903, and for town districts at 653 T. A cause of complaint with some of the conntry members is that their side of the argument baa not been so fully given in the public press as that of their opponents. They contend that the quota demand is not an unreasonable one when the increased size of the country districts, caused by I the reduction of members,is taken into consideration. It is now a matter of great difficulty for many country members even to address all their constituents, not to speak of canvassing them. Districts of 200 or 300 miles in extent if further

increased in size would be utterly unmanageable. They also deny that there hss been any undue haste in pushing the bill, and declare that the town members are exaggerating the effects of the quota in order to gain popularity with the electors.