THE REPRESENTATION STONEWALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8557, 27 July 1889, Page 2

THE REPRESENTATION STONEWALL.

THE TOWN MEMBERS KEEP UP THE TALKING. (From Otm Own Correspondent.) Wellington, July 26. THB SPEECHES. The stonewall on the Representation Bill is being carried on with great vigour, and the town members are in high spirits over the success of their tactics. The speeches being made are stated to be excellent, and well worth being reported in " Hansard." This, however, does not suit the book of the country party, and though several attempts were made to-day by the town party to get the galleries opened they have not been successf nl. When Mr Fish concluded at 1 this morning he was followed by Mr Blake, who spoke for about half an hour on the town party's side. Mr Fisher came next, but did not continue long, as he wished to reserve himself for the public meeting in the evening. Messrs IJenteath and Barron then took up the running, and at a quarter-past 4 gave place to WE JOYCE, who held the floor for eight hours, including a half-hour's adjournment for breakfast at 8 o'clock and a brief intermission at 12. He would have continued for some time longer had he not been up all night in expectation of his tnrn coming sooner than it did. His speech may be summed up by saying that he told the Government they had been "had," It was an excellent stonewall speech, and he succeeded remarkably well in avoiding interruptions. Mr Hobbs, however, mauaged about 6 this morning to check his eloquence for a brief space. He was on the subject of banks and loan companies, and referred to the "apostles" of these institutions. Mr Hobbs, like Abner Dean, of Angels, rose to a point of order, and wanted to know what the apostles had to do with the Representation Bill. The Speaker ruled that the apostles referred to by Mr Hobbs -were not those about whom Mr Joyce was speaking. At 9, o'clock Mr Joyce proceeded to retrace his steps for the benefit, as be said, of thosa members who had not been fortunate enough to be present during the earlier part of his speech. The Speaker, however, promptly pulled him up. Mr Jfoyce's voice is visually a trifle rough, but it was noted by many as a curious fact that as he approached his fifth hour it became nit-How and soft, being improved by the strain upon it. The same thing is said to have been noted about Mi W. L. Rees' voice in his great stonewall speech of 17£ hours in 1876. For refreshment he had a couple of oranges, and every time the bell rang for a quorum ho sat down anrl sucked them. He concluded at a quarter past 12 o'clock, after having broken the record for this session, and sat down amid rounds of applause. STR TAYLOR AKD GUY FAWKES, Mr Taylor followed till 1 o'clock, when au adjournment till 2 o'clock was made for lunch, after wbioh he resumed his discourse and meandered nlong in sweet and gentle tones till a quarter-past 5 o'clock. He compared* Mr M'Arthur, the leading spirit in the country party, to "Guy Fawkes," and had to withdraw the obnoxious term amid some excitement. Upon concluding he was applauded by his party, who also paid.the same tribute to his successor, Mr Richard Reeves. INCIDENTS IN THE EARLT HOURS. This morning curious incidents happened. Most of the members were slumbering peacefully in their seats, wrapped in their rugs. Mr Richard Seddon, however, was wide awake, and after listening attentively for a moment drew the Speaker's attention, to " some strange noise in the place." \,t was a solemn sound which alternately rose in rioh organ tones till the whole chamber reverberated, and then fell and died away in mournful harmonious strains, far up in the vaulted roof of the building. Members were surprised. Mr Seddon was the first to discover the origin of the mystery. He saw that Mr Kerr, who is somewhat of a plethoric habit of body, was asleep and snoring. He at once called Mr Speaker's attention to the "unfeemly interruptions" from the member for Motueka, and proceeded to waken* him. The Speaker ruled that if members wished to snore they roust do so in the lobbies and not in that chamber. It is but fair to Mr Kerr to say that he denies the truth of this story. Ho says he was asleep when Mr Saddon came and wakened him by tugging at his sleeve. He told Mr Seddon to go to " auotber place," and turning ovsr, went to sleep again. . A DOUBLE-HEAPED SHOT. Mr Reeves, who so far has been in a very humorous vein, continued from a quarter-past 5 to 6, when the House adjourned till half-past 7. On resuming.he explained that he wished to free himself and those with wbom he was working from oharges made in the lobby of stonewalling. The stonewalling was on the pars of tlio Government, who insisted on forcing on this bill when other busiuess on tbo order paper mipht be proceeded with at onsep ■He fired a rather telling shot Into the Government benches by saying i(; was getserally understood the Premier wished to keep himself in touch with I the constituency in Wellington, aud might naturally wish to be preseut at a great public meeting to be held this evening. He could assure the Premier that if he wished to move an adjournment for two or throe hours the town party would not. oppose tbe motion. This was a double-headed shot, as it was aimed not only at tbe Premier's alleged hankering after a Wellington constituency., but also at Mr Fergus saying yesterday evening that the proposed publio meeting was one of "the mob \ed by adema,gbgne.'.'.

MEETING OF THE TOWN PAETT. An informal meeting of the town party was held this.evening at 7 o'clock, when it was explained that members of the party had been sounded by the Government to ascertain whether they would agree to allow the bill to go at once to committee on condition that progress was reported till Monday evening. This proposal was scouted by the meeting, and though no resolution was come to, a strong determination was expressed to continue the fight till the constituents of town members have had time to express their opinions. They will not do anything to forestall the decision which will corao from their constituents. OOINS "ONE BETTER." Town members have been trying to get Sydney Taiwhanga to put his best foot forward in opposing the bill. They have pointed out _to him that Mr Joyce has beaten his record, and that his " mana "will be broken if he does not make a supreme effort. I have heard since that Sydney has declared his intention as follows: — « "Ka Joyce. He speak tight hours; I speak nine hours! Igo one better." He intends giving members a dose of Maori history, and will go on the ground that the Maoris are not fairly represented compared with the Europeans. S*IPATHT WITH THE TOWN PARTY. ' Among others Mr Jones has received three telegrams from his constituents in Christchurch, which say:—" Movement on foot requesting mayor to call public meeting." " Public meeting to-morrow night to discuss position of epresentation Bill." "In interest of your electors, stick to light. Have our sympathies. Show this to city members." THE SPEAKER AND THE STONEWALL. Referring to the rumoured stoppage of the stonewall by the Speaker, the tress says:— " Of course if Mr Speaker intervenes it must be by making his way as regards Parliamentary procedure, and this is an extremely delicate and dangerous thing to do, requiring the utmost care, snd forethought." Some hotheaded members of the town party declare that if the Speaker attempts in any way to stifle |the debate, town members will each defy his ruling, and be all taken into custody by the Sergeant-at-Arms. NO SUNDAY SITTING. The Premier has informally expressed his intention to adjourn from Saturday night at 11. o'clock till 11 o'clock on Monday morning. PBESS CRITICISM. Referring to the Representation Bill and' stonewalling, the New Zealand Times* to-day Bays:—" We do not withdraw one' syllable of what we have said in connection,, with obstruction. We recognise distinctly thatthe majority is'the leading principle of representative government, but there is another side: even to this. The very fact that the Parliamentary majority hold absolute power carries' with it the moral obligation to use that power equitably and temperately. A majority of town' members might pass an act exempting all towm residents from taxation, and, placing all the public burdens on the rural districts: a majority of country members might resolve that no town shall possess any Parliamentary representation at all, but such proceedings would, of course, be so grossly tyrannical that they would probably bring about a civil war, or something like it. Less tyrannous only in degree is the present action of the country members." The article concludes as as follows: —" It is impossible to view the position with equanimity. To find a large majority of the House fo resolutely bent on using their numerical superiority to inflict a shameful injustice upon all the cities of the colony is in every way deplorable. We cannot pretend to justify/ wilful obstruction, but we feel bound to points out to the Government and to the countryparty that there are wrongs which, being irre- - dressible by lawful means, may drive those who are wronged into irregular modes of defending their moral rights. - Tyranny has often brought about a rebellion. Parliamentary tyranny may' almost compel the adoption of measures of resistance which in any other circumstances would bo strenuously deprecated by those who may be naturally driven to resort to them in defence oC the interests entrusted to their charge." SUGGESTIONS FOE A COMPEOMISE. Among the numerous suggestions for a contpromiso as an escape from the present Parliameutary dead-lock, one is that the number of European members should be increased to 81, thus splitting the difference between the presr-nt number (91) and the reduced strength of 70 provided in the Acfc of 1887. This is being sirongly pressed in the hope that the Government! would not consider its acceptance inconsistent with their pledge to appeal to the country rather than allow the reduction of members to .be rescinded. So far, however, I understand that Ministers remain absolutely firm on this point, and declare their fixed intention of going to the country rather than submit to any altering of the reduction as settled in 1887. SUNDAY SITTING. I have just heard that the statement which I telegraphed earlier in the evening, on the ( authority of a member, that the Premier had agreed to adjourn a.t U p.m. to-morrow (Saturday) is incorreot. On the report being men- • tfoned to one member of the country party, he ejaculated with energy, "Adjourn, be ■ !" He assured me most positively that no adjournment would ba agreed to until the bill got into, committee, if then. NO SURRENDER. The cry of both sides is still " No surrender,"" but I have strong reasons to believe that thecountry party are not by any means so united; as they first appeared to be, in spite of the bond* of alliance which 44 of them signed. On thecontrary, I know several are wavaring—if;, indeed, they have not already decided in theirr own minds to support some amicable compromise. Most of the JIJOBE MODERATE MEMBERS of the country party are against so excessive a claim aB 33 or 50 per cent., and say that they • would be quito satisfied with 25 per cent. Some say even 20 or 18 per cent., and deprecate the action of the more violent members of the , party. The moderate men on both sides are showing a tendency to a rapprochement, and! 1 hopes are beginning to be entertained of the i moderate country members coalescing with the town party, and so form a majority. THE COUNCIL. It is said that the Representation Bill, if it ever reaches the Upper House in its present form, will be thrown out by the Lords. ' LAWES PRIVILEGED. : The Speaker has ruled that the ladies galleryis " not a part of the House," and the fair ser are consequently not excluded like the rest of humanity. Major Hamlin and Sir M. O'Rorke : are taking six hours turns in the chair whilei . the stonewall lasts. : THE " PILGRIM'S PBOGHESS," During Mr Taylor's speech he referred to the : " Pilgrim's Progress," but was oalled to order by i the member forthe Buller, who wanted to know what that had to do with the bill. Mr Taylor replied that if the bill passed they would be a , lot of Mr Pliables and Mr Turncoats, and the member for the Bullet snd his party would be Mr Qraballs. i A NARROW ESCAPE. i The Government only kept two extra men on : hand kst night, and early this morning. The ■ ■ consequence was that in the small hours they' i had a narrow escape from a count-out. Afteri breakfast, also, they had another close shave;.. , This time there, were plenty of Bombers in the•, , lobbies, but when the bell rang they did not,.. ; trouble to go in, thinking that when so many? i were about their services would not be required... I The activity of Mr Macgregor, the Government • : whip, however, averted the disaster. Mr Moss • tipple when stonewalling is glycerine and water.:. MR FERGUS AND THE MOB. ! It is said that if Fergus had been at the public • ; meeting this evening, " the mob led by a denia--gogue" would, have eaten him alive without; salt. UR SEDDON CNEASS". Mr Seddon is miserable. He J^pißirje for *> chance to make a stonewall s^geoh.' MEETING IN WELLINGTON. To-night's meeting of the East and South. Wellington electors was one ef the most. crowded and enthusiastic assemblages ever - seen in this. pity. Sir G. Grey spoke. over an hour, making an impassionedJ appeal against the threatened injustice?, to the towns. Mr Fish made a most effective speech and quite carried the meeting with ; him and was cheered. Mr Fisher :nade one of his characteristic florid orations. He termed the Minister for Defence " the Boanerges of the Cabinet," "the big drum-major of the Ministry," " the tinsel soldier of the Defence Office." This was received with immense applause. LAST NIGHT'S PROCEEDINGS. Mr Richard Reeves finished a very humorous oration »t half-past 9. Some surprise was expressed at his ending so soon, but he explains that he was only taking a preliminary canter, and was reserving himself for a greater effort r^. a later stage, Mr W. P. Reeves took uij tierunning after his namesake, and, though he--does not possess great staying power, managed ■< to hold out till half-past 11, when ba wasfollowed by Sir George Grey, who by ihafe time ■■ was sufficiently rested after his speech, at the.* public meeting. Mr Goldie was to have followed i Mr W. P. Reeves, but he had to be sent after? Sydney Taiwhaoga, who spoke at the public: meeting and had not afterwards been seen: he* was suspected of having been decoyed away by; the country party, who dreaded the nine hours'" speech, with which they were threatened. Sir George was io high spirits after the meeting,, and spoke for an hour. He was full of drollery and fun, and kept all the House laughing except. Major Hamlin, who was asleep in the chair. Afc ]2.30 Mr Humphreys took the floor. It has; been arranged that Mr Downie Stewart wilt follow him and th.en Mr Goldie and Sydney I'aiwhauga, who has just been found, after whioh Messes T. Thompson and Loughrey ar& to,move the.adjournment of the House. This; will put the town party "on side " again—to us& a football phrase—and they will all be able tospeak a second time. Mr Moss is emergency niau, and is sleepiug on the premises, to be readyin case of need. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. It is asserted that when the RepresentationBill gets into committee, among the amendments proposed will be one for extending the partial disfranchisement of the four cities to> the smaller towns and boroughs also, and that a. determined effort will be made to change it into a Repeal Bill, with a single operative clause repealing the Representation Act of 1887 andi renewing the act of 1881. It is alleged that this oourse will command very strong support, and that such an amendment may be carried. THB STONEWALL. The stonewall party are much overjoyed by th,e accession of Messrs Larnach, R. Reeves,

Hutchison, Blake, and Feldwick, who all have | promised to render earnest help. The stonewall is assuming such unprecedentedly formidable proportions that some even of tbe most determined supporters of the bill aro beginning to quail at the magnitude of tho task which they have to face in breaking down the obstacle to progress. Some country members also object strenuously to the inclusion of towns an'i boards, and on this point their allegiance to tn<= Government is very doubtful. C, THE LATEST. ' Latest talk is of preventing the committal oE the bill until Wednesday next. Th. o?ubs^» ent possibilities in committee are almost indefinite.