PARLIAMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 13502, 20 July 1896, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph.) , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. z Wellington, July 18. After the telegraph office closed thia morning the debate was continued on the Premier’s motion to fine Mr Watson L5OO, and Capt. Russell’s amendment. Messrs Earnshaw, Collins, Massey and Heke also spoke. . On a division Captain Russell s amendment was rejected by 45 to 19. Mr H. D. Bell then moved to strike out the fine with a view of substituting the punishment of detention in the custody of the Sergeant-at Arms. He said this was the first time for 230 years that a fine was to be inflicted in the British Dominions on a person outside of the House. It was a monstrous precedent to establish, as it gave the House power to absolutely ruin any individual outside its precincts. Mr Seddon said matters had come to such a pass that it was now a question whether the Bank of New Zealand or the House should rule. He did not think the amount of tho fine, under the circumstances, was excessive, and as for imprisonment by order of the Speaker it had been a farce. It was his duty to defend the rights and privileges of the House, and if it was his dearest friend who had infringed them he would take the same course as he had done thab night. jl r jR. Thompson counselled moderation in the punishment to be meted out. Mr Fraser quoted authorities in support of the contention that colonial governments should not take too much power upon themselves in these matters. Mr T. Mackenzie condemned the attitude of the Premier.—Mr G. J. Smith said that all tbe trouble arose out of the inclusion of the second clause in the order of reference. —Mr G. W. Russell suggested a L5O fine, with the alternative of 14 days’ custody. —Messrs Crowther, Hall and Hoke also sp°k°’ , ,' ... Mr Bell’s amendment was lost by 44 to 20. Mr J. W. Kelly moved to reduce the fine to Lso.—Mr Button said it would be most invidious to inflict a more severe punishment on outsiders than could bo inflicted on members of the House for similar infringements.—Amendment lost by 37 to 27. On the motion of Mr Hall-Jones the latter part of the Premier’s resolution, providing that until the fine is paid Mr Watson should remain in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, was struck out and the remaining portion of the motion inflicting a fine of D5OO on Mr Watson was agreed to by 36 to 26, following being the division list :— Ayes (36): Buddo, Cadman, Carncross, Carnell, Carroll, Duncan, Flatman, Graham, Guinness, Hall, Hall-Jones, Harris, Hogg, Houston, Hutchison G., Hutchison W.. Joyce, Kelly W., Lawry, McGowan, McKenzie J., McLachlan, Meredith, Millar, Mills, Montgomery, Morrison, Parata, Pere, Stevens, Steward, Tanner, Thomson Ward, and Willis. Noes 26: Allen, Bell, Buchanan, Buick, Button'. Collins, Crowther, Duthie, Earnshaw, Fraser, Heke, Kelly J. W., Lang, Lewis, McLean9?., Massey, McGuire, McNab, Newman Piravi, Russell G. W., Russell W.. Smith G. J., Te Ao, Thompson R., Wilson. Mr G. W. Russell asked whether any alternative was proposed in the event of the fine not being paid.—Mr Seddon said he took it that Mr Watson, being possessed of a very high sense of duty, would pay the fine. At 4.25 a.m?Nlr Watson was called to the bar and the Speaker communicated to him the decision of the House, concluding by sayin “ Mr Watson may now retire.” The House rose at 4.25 a.m.