A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 113, 23 September 1868, Page 3

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE.

The following report, which we take from the Wellington Independent, is not very creditable to our legislators : — Mr Yogel said he had read the lines of a poet, who said, « The sunset of life gives us mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows before." — The hon. the Colonial Secretary must be fast drawing towards the close of his official career. (Laughter and cheers.) It would be cruel to Ministers to call upon him (Mr Yogel) to address the House. The position reminded him of the Irishman who said his son Larry treated him best because that— The Chairman said those interpolations had nothing wliatever to do with the subject before the committee. Mr Fox thought the personal chat was not very dignified. Every person had heard that communications had been taking place between the too ra 100 ral party. One member of the too-roo-troo <u-ru lal troo-lal — (loud laughter) — party had boasted that all the terms were settled, and those terms were not those which the Ministers submitted to the House. The Hon. Mr Stafford said the hon. member for Rangitikei ivas endeavouring to elevate a mere question of detail to a high ministerial issue. The Government were always friendly to the " country party," and had several satisfactory interviews with them, and the Acting Treasurer would be prepared to bring down certain modifications of detail when the other resolutions came before the House. If the hon. member (Mr Bell) would state his questions, he (Mr Stafford) would answer them. Mr Dillon Bell said as a substantial difference had been made the House had a right to know what that difference was. Any Alteration was a re-adjustment, and went to the very essence of the Government propositions. Therefore these modifications should nave been explained. Was it true that in.stead of £90,000, £150,000 was to he given to Nelson; he would like to know whether there was any alteration in the sum to be paid to Westland or any other province ? The financial Bystem seemed based on a prophetic vision of thirty-six years. But in thirty-six hours Ministers turned round. The Hon. Mr Stafford said notwithstanding the leader of the Opposition hai said they would not make finance a party question, yet they came down with a vote of want of confidence which involved a party fight of life and death. The question now was the resolution. Mr Dillon Bell said the hon. premier said he would give an answer — that was information. The Hon. Mr Stafford : I never said I would answer those questions. [Loud shouts of oh 1 oh ! oh ! the voice of the hon. memher for Lyttelton being plainly discernible.] The Hon. > r Stafford : I know 1 have not voice enough to oppose to that of the Bull of Lyttelton. (Oh 1 oh I oh 1) I never meant to have answered those questions. The hon. member misunderstood me. Mr Dillon Bell appealed to every " gentleman " in the Houso whether he had not put the common and ordinary interpretation. He begged the hon. gentleman's pardon; he was bound to accept Ins interpretation. Mr G. Macfarlan said he considered it more honourable for a member to sit silent in that House than to speak words by which he would not afterwards abide.