MARYBOROUGH GOSSIP.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 82, 18 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

MARYBOROUGH GOSSIP.

(From the Marlborough Press.)

Gossip generally, at the present time may be considered to be pretty equally divided between Maori alfairs and Provincial politics, but as the latter subject is more purely of local interest than the former. 1 shall make it the theme of my present discourse.

Not satisfied with having obtained the adjournment, the " preseut '' opposition appear determined to leave no stone unturned to endeavor to ensure their real object, which it requires no Great amount of discerment. to understand as meaning the overthrow of the present Government. Whether they will succeed or not, time will show.

The very extraordinary ruling of the present Speaker, some short time sinct, lias been the theme of very general conversation, whilst public opinion on the whole, is decidedly opposed to ir, as being unprecedented and unconstitutional, and so far from being conducive to obtaining either an amicable arrangement between opposing parties or ensuring expeditious legislation, is only calculated to further embitter factious? spirit and partisanship.

That such ruling is unconstitutional in the extreme is self-evident, as it virtually ignores the o ily right that a minority can be possessed of, viz., to utter and record their views and sentiments, whilst it entirely removes the possibility of convincing argument fro:ri the opposition, and leaves them a perfect none nity in the house.

It is an old-established fact in legislation that an opposition party is actually as necessary as a government, for the simple reason that every subject requires, discussion and argument to thoroughly ventilate it, and couiirmatively explain its real -worth.

Captain Bailie, however, considers otherwise, and is of opinion that when there is adecided majority ou any question under discussion, and they consider that. they have heard enough on the .subject, the interruption of any one of the minority then on the floor of the house is right. No doubt Captain Bailie, as his position requires of him, is far better read iv parliamentary precedents and legislative practice than we are out oi' doors. "Will he then condescendingly give us some explanation concerning the justice of what appears to us such arbitrary ruling, and the parliamentary usage from which he derives a prece-

Captain Bailie would probably inform us that this ruling is by no moans inTended to have an arbitrary effect, and that the house will always grant the minority a fair hearing, but 1 would simply surest that his idea of a fair heat ing, although, doubtless concurred in by the majority, would in no way be considered equally satisfactory by the minority, who would be virtually without redress. One can easily under >fa r ,d the intolerable nuisance and hindrance to public business of a factious opposition, but it is not equally simple to designate satisfactorily and at the same time luckily explain what constitutes factious opposition. By one of the present standing- rules and orders we are informed that any member guilty of factious opposition is to be considered guilty of contempt, and acted with accordingly ; and as the probability arises that the present opposition will iii no way submit to sit in taciturnity, like " little boys who must not speak until they are spoken to,' 1 we shall probably see ere long, the whole of them marched off in disgrace under the charge ot friend '* Goodman.'' But to look at this subject, however, in sober earnest, ie really won't do, and I can't help thinking that Captain Bailie must have pretty welt arrived at the same opinion, and that when the house again meets a far more modified ruling will be adopted; for at the present moment, the majority .ire allowed -to say as much as they please. Surely a far more advisable method to adopt would be to limit an) F speaker, whether belonging to the majority or otherwise, to a certain length of time.