SCENES IN THE VICTORIAN ASSEMBLY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume X, Issue 2696, 3 February 1876, Page 2

SCENES IN THE VICTORIAN ASSEMBLY.

(From the Age.)

The proceedings in the Assembly on Wednesday, prior to the galleries beingcleared of strangers, was of an unusually stormy and disorderly character. Upon the House going into Committee upon the financial proposals of the Government, Mr Longmore moved that the Chairman report progress, and the motion after a brief and somewhat erratic debate was negatived. Mr Dixon then moved that the Chairman leave the chair, and in a speech of considerable lang-th stated his reasons for joining the Opposition in their efforts to force the Government to have recourse to a dissolution. Mr Casey followed, and in some temperate remarks deprecated the action of the Government in refusing Mr Tucker's motion to be brought forward for discussion. If the same line of conduct were pursued he would feel himsel constrained to vote for progress being reported. Mr Hig'ginbottom next addressed the House, and succeeded iv throwing considerable vitality into the debate. So much so, indeed, that the Ministerial benches, which previously had been emptied, were quickly refilled, and Sir James M'Culloch listened with something like surprise to the philippic levelled at him and his colleagues by the hon memt ber for the East Bourke Boroughs. Mr Higinbotham protested against "the brute and silent force of a mere majority" in that House preventing hon.: members from discussing 1 bwcli serious issues as were involved in the motion of the lion, member for Collingwoocl. t»ir Jamas M'Culloch replied, but said very little in explanation of the intentions of the Government, beyond that they were not disposed to facilitate the bringing forward of the motion affirming the desirability ot a dissolution. Mr R.M. Smith made some remarks and Mr Berry replied. An interruption on the part of Mr R. M. Smith led to a scene of confusion which resulted in the galleries being cleared, on Mr Thomas calling attention to the presence of strangers in the House. As soon as the public and the' reporters withdrew j from the Assembly,' the debate which ensued was well calculated, to show the utter demoralization' of the House, and the inability of members under existing-, circumstances to deal dispassionatelywith the regular business oftn'o country.! Mr McLellan, who bad been chafingunder some remarks made by Mr Lalor, proceeded as soon as the galleries were cleared, to make a violent onslaught upon all and sundry, making- more particular and offensive reference to Mr Lalor and Mr Woods, and their ante cedents. He was replied to in terms no less forcible, and from personal charges lion, members verged into, those of a general nature. Amongst other matters referred to, it was broadly

assorted iliatan official in Hie Post Oftice, who had been dismissed from his position for embezzlement, had been reinstated by the Poslmastor-Gienoral and was at present discharging responsible duties in connection with the depni tment. This accusation gave rise to a very stormy debate, bnfc nothing was advanced on the part of the Government in answer to so serious a charge. Hon. members continued to wrangle for about an hour and a half, when Mr Dixon's motion that Mr Davics leave the chair having been negatived, Sir James McOulloch moved the adjournment of the House, which motion was carried. The proceedings terminated at one o'clock a.m.