PARLIAMENTARY SCRIMMAGES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 969, 6 December 1879, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY SCRIMMAGES.

There were several scenes in the House on Monday night The Opposition desired to adjourn in order to enable Mr. Ballance, who is temporarily ill, to speak on finance. Sir George: Grey moved the adjournment with that ' object, bub the Government pressed the question to a division. Mr. Stewart was then put up to talk against time! He referred to the agreement between. the Government and the Auckland members as one to be handed down to history and obloquy. He also taunted Mr. Swanson concerning his professions * of virtue, but hoped, however, that hV ' would continue in his present positions —Mr. Lundon : "I hope not." Mr. , Stewart, in continuation/ said that Mr. Swanson aoted consistently until the last . six weeks, which had been a lie on his previous political career. He had been told that by his friends.— The Speaker J " That is strongjlanguage."—^-Mr. 1 Swani son " Let him go oni-)— The speaker, said that the offensive language must be put down.— Mr. Swanson : "Let him go ahead sir."— Mr. Stewart then wen6 on to say that another member who occupied the position of Colonel on one ' side occupied at the same time some other position 04 the opposite benches. He contended that the agreement made between the Auckland members and the » Government was a legal fraud. f Mr. T Pitt here rose.], Mr. Stewart: Does ray hon. friend not know what ~ a legal* fraud is, --Mr. Pitt : Yes I do, and i.. ask whether such language is parlia-£ I mentary. — Mr. Hamlih called attention to the fact that several gentlemen were asleep in the House. —The Speaker : " That is a frivolous point of order." — . Mr. Hamlin again rose aprid loufl cries - of "Order."— Mr. Stewart said that legal minds knew the.difference between legal and moral fraud. -"Mr. Gibbs who was lying at, full length on a benojtt^ during this time, kept hissing like a goose. — Mr. Stewart said that there was a law under which telegraphists were sworn not to give up a telegram without - the permission of the sendor or sendee, but the Government compelled thfl telegraph clerks to violate that oath,— «^ Loud cries of *' Question," cries off "Order," and "Questions."— The* Speaker said that on a question of noconfidence the utmost latitude was allowed. — Mr. Stewart continued : When the Government so acted the country could place no confidence in them.' At a quarter to two o'clock Mr. Hamlin called attention to the state .of the House, which required a quorum to, be . made.— (Loud cries of " Question?' from the Government benches.)— Mr. Stewart meandered on, and the Government again attempted to press a division. . — Mr. [Stewart, however, persisted in speaking. He said it was his duty to continue when the Government would ' have granted an adjournment for the sick men (Ballance and Sheehan). — At 3.40 o'clock, Mr. Hamlin moved the adjournment, and it was once more negativod. — The question was then put that the House should go into Committee of Supply, and the House divided.— Ayesi 17 ; noes, 6.