Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1894 Session I | STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

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1894. NEW ZEALAND.

STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Agreed to by the House, 20th July, 1894.

List of Members delivered to the •Clerk of the House.

Members assemble in the House.

House goes up to Legislative ■Council.

The Governor's wish signified that the House elect their Speaker.

At commencement of new Parliament Commissioner appointed to administer oath. or affirmation to Members. Members take oath or make affirmation. House proceeds to elect a Speaker. A Member proposed as Speaker.

When unopposed, such Member called to the Chair.

He submits himself to the House,

1. —Proceedings on the Meeting of a New Parliament. -1. On the first day of the meeting of a new Parliament, for the despatch of business, pursuant to the Governor's Proclamation, the Clerk of the Writs delivers to the Clerk of the House a list of the names of the Members returned to serve in such Parliament. 2. Members assemble at the time and place appointed, and await a Message from the Commissioners for opening the Parliament. 3. On receiving such Message, the House, with the Clerk, goes up to the Legislative Council. 4. The Commissioners having intimated that it is His Excellency's wish that the Members of the House shall proceed to the choice of some proper person to be their Speaker, and present such person on the following day for his approval, the House returns. 5. A Commissioner duly authorised by the Governor to administer the oath or affirmation to Members is then introduced into the House, and his Commission is read by the Clerk. 6. Members then take the oath or make the affirmation prescribed by law. 7. The House then proceeds to the election of a Speaker. 8. A Member, addressing himself to the Clerk (who, standing up, points to him, and then sits down), proposes another Member, then present, to the House for their Speaker, and moves that such Member "do take the Chair of this House as Speaker." 9. Such Motion being seconded and supported, if no other Member be proposed as Speaker, the Member so proposed is called by the House to the Chair, without any Question being put. 10. The Member, on being called to the Chair, stands up in his place, and expresses his sense of the honour proposed to be con]—H. 11.

ferred upon him, and submits himself to the House. 11. Being again unanimously called to the Chair, he is taken out of his place by the Members who proposed and seconded him, and by them conducted to the Chair. 12. If two Members be proposed as Speaker a Motion shall be made and seconded regarding each such Member, " That he do take, the Chair of this House as Speaker," and each Member so proposed shall address himself to the House. 13. A Question is then put by the Clerk that the Member first proposed " do ta e the Chair of this House as Speaker,-" which is resolved in the affirmative or negative, like other Questions. 14. If the Question be resolved in the affirmative the Member is conducted to the Chair (see No. 11) ; but if in the negative a Question is then put by the Clerk that the Member next proposed " do take the Chair of this House as Speaker," and, if it be resolved in the affirmative, the Member is conducted to the Chair. 15. If there be more than two Candidates for the Speakership, the votes shall be taken for each Candidate separately. The Candidate who has the smallest number of votes shall retire, and the votes shall be taken for the remaining Candidates separately until the number of Candidates shall be reduced to two. The names of the two remaining Candidates shall be submitted in the order they were first proposed, and thereupon a separate vote of the Members then present shall be taken; and the one having the highest number of votes shall be declared elected, provided the number of votes given shall be an absolute majority of the Members then present. The Member thus elected shall be conducted to the Chair. 16. Having been conducted to the Chair, the Member so elected, standing on the upper step, returns his humble acknowledgment to the House for the great honour they have been pleased to confer upon him, and thereupon sits down in the Chair ; and then

And is conducted to the Chair.

When two Members are proposed as Speaker.

I - Question that the Member first ) proposed do take the Chair.

Question that the Member next proposed do take the Chair,

; When more than two Members are proposed as Speaker.

Mr. Speaker elect takes the Chair, and the Mace is laid upon the Table.

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Mr. Speaker elect is congratulated, and the House adjourns.

Mr. Speaker presents himself to the Governor, who approves of the choice of the House.

Mr. Speaker lays claim to the privileges of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker reports his approval.

During remaining term of Parliament, Mr. Speaker holds a Commission, authorising him to administer oath or affirmation.

Business interrupted to enable Member to take oath or affirmation.

New Members introduced.

Vacancy in the since of Speaker during a Session.

When Speaker does not claim privileges.

Unavoidable absence of Speaker.

Absence of Speaker and Deputy-Speaker.

the Mace (which before lay under the Table) is laid upon the Table. 17. A Member, having congratulated Mr. Speaker elect, then moves "That the House do now adjourn " ; and some other Member having also congratulated Mr. Speaker elect, the House accordingly adjourns till tomorrow. 18. Before the next meeting of the House, > Mr. Speaker elect, attended by his proposer e and seconder, presents himself to the Governor for His Excellency's approbation: and the Governor signifies his approbation of the choice of the House. 19. Mr. Speaker then, on behalf of the > House of Representatives of New Zealand, lays claim to all their privileges ■ and especially to freedom of speech in debate; and to free access to His Excellency whenever occasion may require it; and that the most favourable construction may be put on all their proceedings. 20. The House being met, Mr. Speaker reports that he had waited upon the Governor, who had been pleased to approve of the choice the House had made of him to be their Speaker. 21. During the remaining term of the Parliament Mr. Speaker holds a Commission from the Governor authorising him to administer the oath or affirmation to Members. 22. If any Member desires to be sworn in or to make the affirmation at any time a debate or other business is interrupted, and he is called to the Table for that purpose. 23. New Members returned after general election are introduced to the Table between two Members, and presented to Mr. Speaker. 24. When the office of Speaker becomes vacant during a session of Parliament the House proceeds forthwith to the election of a new Speaker, according to the accustomed forms. 25. When the Speaker so elected is presented for the Governor's approbation he does not lay claim to the privileges of the House. 26. Whenever the House shall be. informed by the Clerk at the Table of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker the Chairman of Committees is to perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker in relation to all proceedings of the House, as Deputy-Speaker, until the next meeting of the House, and so on from day to day, on the like information being given to the House, until the House shall otherwise order; provided that if the House shall adjourn for more than twenty-four hours the Deputy-Speaker shall continue to perform the duties and exercise the authority of Speaker for twenty-four hours only after such adjournment. 27. If at any time both the Speaker and the Chairman of Committees shall be absent, the House, upon being informed of the fact by the Clerk at the Table, may, upen the Motion of a Member of the Government, call upon any Member to take the Chair of the

House as Acting-Speaker during the absence of the Speaker. 28. When, in pursuance of either of the two last - preceding Orders, the DeputySpeaker or an Acting-Speaker performs the duties and exercises the authority of Speaker, every act done and proceeding taken in or by the House shall be as valid and effectual as if the Speaker himself had been in the chair.

ll.—Opening of Parliament. 29. On being summoned to attend the Governor in the Council Chamber, Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up there to hear the Governor's Speech. 30. Mr. Speaker and the House then retire from the Council Chamber; and, Mr. Speaker having taken the Chair, the House may then adjourn during pleasure. 31. Before the Governor's Speech is reported to the House by Mr. Speaker some' Bill is read a first time pro forma. 32. Mr. Speaker reports that the House had this day attended the Governor (or had been in the Council Chamber at the desire of the Commissioners for opening Parliament), and that His Excellency was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses of Parliament (or that the Commissioners had made a Speech to both Houses of Parliament), of which Mr. Speaker says he had, for greater accuracy, obtained a copy, which he lays upon the Table of the House. 33. The said Speech having been laid upon the Table, notice of a Motion for an Address in Reply to the Governor is given. 34. The Address to His Excellency conveys the thanks of the House for His Excellency's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament at the opening of the Session, and is moved in the form in which it is proposed to be presented to His Excellency, but is not necessarily a reply to His Excellency's Speech, paragraph by paragraph; and the House agrees to the same with or without amendment. 35. When an Amendment is proposed, the Debate is confined to the subject-matter of that Amendment, and the general rule of relevancy applies, unless the Amendment be treated by the Government as a vote of Want of Confidence, in which case the fullest latitude of debate is accorded. 36. The Address in reply to the Governor's Speech is ordered to be presented to the Governor by the whole House.

111. —Proceedings on the Prorogation and Further Prorogation of Parliament. 37. When Parliament is to be prorogued by the Governor, after a Session for despatch of business, a Message is brought from the Governor, desiring the attendance of the House. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up to the Chamber of the Legislative Council; and, if there be any Money Bills awaiting the Royal assent, Mr. Speaker, in presenting the same, addresses His Excellency concerning the Bills passed

Acts of DeputySpeaker and Acting-Speaker validated.

Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up to the Legislative Council.

House retires, and adjourns during pleasure.

A Bill read pro forma.

Mr. Speaker reports the Governor's Speech.

Motion for an Address ia answer.

Form of Address.

Address agreed to.

When Amendment to Address is proposed.

Address to be presented by the whole House.

Prorogation by the Governor in person.

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Prorogation by Commission.

Further prorogation.

Sitting-days oi the House.

Hours of meeting.

Prayers.

Doors closed during Prayers

Notice of Prayers to be given to Committees.

House counted after Prayers.

Quorum,

House not counted when met according to Proclamation.

House not counted when summoned to attend the Governor or the Commissioners.

House adjourned if Twenty Members be not present.

during the Session, after which the Royal assent is signified to such Money Bills, and to any other Bills which have not yet received the Royal assent; and, after a speech from the Governor, Parliament is then prorogued to a day named. 38. When Parliament is to be prorogued by Commission, after a Session for despatch of business, a Message is brought from the Commissioners, requesting the attendance of the House ; and, accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, goes up to the Chamber of the Legislative Council, where the Commission is read, and the Royal assent is declared to such Acts (beginning with the Money Bills taken up by Mr. Speaker) as have not yet been assented to ; and Parliament is then prorogued to a day named. 39. Other and further Prorogations of Parliament are effected by Proclamations issued from time to time by the Governor in the Neiv Zealand Gazette.

IV. —Sitting and Adjournment of the House. 40. Unless otherwise ordered, the sittingdays of the House are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. 41. Unless otherwise ordered, the House meets each day at half after Two o'clock p.m., and continues to sit until half after Five o'clock (unless previously adjourned), when Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair, resuming it at half after Seven o'clock p.m. 42. On taking the Chair, Mr. Speaker reads the Prayer appointed by the House. 43. The doors of the House are closed during Prayers. 44. The Serjeant-at-Arms is from time to time, when the House is going to Prayers, to give notice thereof to all Committees, and all proceedings of Committees, after such notice, are declared to be null and void. 45. After Prayers Mr. Speaker counts the House • and, unless he counts Twenty Members, inclusive of himself, no business is proceeded with; and he adjourns the House, without a Question first put, till the next sitting-day. 46. When the House meets for the despatch of business, pursuant to Proclamation by the Governor, the House is not counted. 47. When the attendance of the House in the Council Chamber is desired by His Excellency (or the Commissioners) the House is not counted, and on its return proceeds with business, although less than a Quorum be present, until notice be taken thereof. 48. If, after the business of the Session has commenced, it appear at any time, on notice being taken, or on the report of a Division of the House by the Tellers, that Twenty Members, inclusive of the Speaker, are not present, Mr. Speaker adjourns the House, without a Question first put, till the next sitting-day.

49. A Member who calls the attention o: Mr. Speaker, or of the Chairman of Committees, to the fact that there is not a quorum oj Members present shall be held to be presenl during the counting of the House. 50. If it appear, while the House is in Committee of the Whole, on notice being taken, or on the report of a Division, that Twenty Members, inclusive of the Chairman, are not present, the Chairman of the Committee reports the same to Mr. Speaker ; when Mr. Speaker counts the House, and if Twenty Members, inclusive of himself, be not present he adjourns the House, without a Question first put, till the next sittingday. 51. The doors of the House are unlocked whenever Mr. Speaker is engaged in counting the House. 52. Whenever Mr. Speaker is obliged to adjourn the House for want of a Quorum the hour at which such adjournment is made, and the names of the Members then present, are inserted in the Journals of the House. 53. If, on the days on which Motions have precedence, all Motions shall not have been disposed of when the House rises at half after Five o'clock, the debate on any Motion under discussion is adjourned by Mr. Speaker, and the House, on resuming at half after Seven o'clock, shall proceed to the Orders of the Day. If there be no Order of the Day the discussion on Motions may be continued. The debate on Motions may be resumed after the Orders of the Day are disposed of, on Motion to that effect being put and carried. 54. The business under discussion, and any other Motions not disposed of at the hour of going to the Orders of the Day, are set down in the Order Paper after the list of Motions for the next day on which the House shall sit. 55. No Order of the Day or Notice of Motion : shall be called on after Twelve o'clock at '. night. The Speaker or Chairman of Committees shall leave the chair at Twelve o'clock on ; Saturday night, and no sitting of the House ; shall take place between Twelve o'clock on Saturday night and One o'clock on Monday morning. 56. Except in the cases mentioned in Nos.: 45, 48, and 50, when Mr. Speaker adjourns J the House without putting any Question, the House can only be adjourned by its own Resolution. 57. The Serjeant-at-Arms is from time i to time to take into his custody any stranger \ whom he may see, or who may be reported c to him to be, in any part of the House or i Gallery appropriated to the Members of the House, and also any stranger who, having been admitted into any part of the House or Gallery, shall misconduct himself, or shall not withdraw when strangers are directed to withdraw, while the House or any Committee of the whole House is sitting; and no person so taken into custody is to be

I Member calling attention of Bpeaker to want f of quorum to be t counted as present.

1 Quorum in Committee of the » Whole. .

Doors open while House is counted.

Names of Members present inserted in Journals.

Debate on Motions adjourned at half after Five o'clock.

Business not disposed of.

No new business after 12 at night.

"No Sunday sittings.

House adjourns itself except in certain eases.

Strangers to be taken into custody if in parts if the Houae ippropriated to "Vl embers.

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No Member to bring a stranger into such parts of the House.

Every Member to attend the service of the House.

Notice to be given of Motions for leave of absence.

Members excused from service.

Leave of absence forfeited.

(Jail of the House.

Order in which names are called.

Members not present but subsequently attending.

Members not attending.

Entering and leaving the House.

Members leaving their seato.

Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion.

Orders of the Day denned.

Orders of the Day on Tuesdays and Fridays.

discharged out of custody without the special order of the House. 58. No Member is to bring any stranger into any part of the House or Gallery appropriated to the Members of the House while the House or a Committee of the whole House is sitting.

V. —Attendance and Places op Members. 59. Every Member is bound to attend the service of the House, unless leave of absence be given to him by the House. 60. Notice is to be given of a Motion for giving leave of absence to any Member, stating the cause and period of absence. 61. A Member is excused from service in the House or on any Committee so long as he has leave of absence. 62. Any Member having leave of absence forfeits the same by attending the service of the House before the expiration of such leave. 63. When an Order is made that the House be called over on a future day Mr. Speaker shall cause circular letters or telegrams to be forwarded to all the Members of the House requiring their attendance on that day. No Order for a Call of the House shall be made for any day earlier than seven days from the date of such Order. 64. When the Order of the Day for calling over the House is read the names of the Members are called over by the Clerk alphabetically. 65. The names of all Members who do not answer when called are taken down by the Clerk, and are subsequently called over a second time, when those who answer, or afterwards attend in their places on the same day, are ordinarily excused. 66. Members not attending in their places are dealt with for their default as the House may think fit. 67. Every Member is to be uncovered when he enters or leaves the House, or moves to any other part of the House, and is to make obeisance to the Chair in passing to or from his seat. 68. No Member is to pass between the Chair and any Member who is speaking.

Vl.—Orders of the Day and Order oe Business. 69. The ordinary business of each day consists of Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion. 70. An Order of the Day is a Bill or other matter which the House has ordered to be taken into consideration on a particular day. 71. Unless the House shall otherwise direct, Orders of the Day for Tuesdays and Fridays are to be disposed of before the House will proceed upon any Motions of which notice shall have been given.

72. When the House proceeds to the Orders of the Day on days on which Orders have precedence, and after Notices of Motion have been disposed of on all other days, or on the House resuming at half after Seven o'clock, as the case may be, Mr. Speaker is to direct the Clerk at the Table to read the Orders of the Day without any Question being put. 73. The Orders of the Day are to be disposed of in the order in which they stand upon the Paper, the right being reserved to Ministers of placing Government Orders or Government Motions at the head of the list, in the rotation in which they are to be taken, on the days (Tuesdays and Fridays) on which Government business has precedence; but such business, if not disposed of on those days, shall revert to that position on the Order Paper which it would have occupied if it had not been advanced as Government business. 74. Private Members' Motions and Bills shall take precedence of all Government Orders, and Orders in charge of Members of the Government, on Wednesdays throughout the session. 75. For the first six weeks of the session there shall be no questions on the Order Paper for Thursday, and Local Bills shall have precedence on that day until they are disposed of, after which private Members' Public Bills shall be dealt with. At the expiration of six weeks Government business takes precedence on Thursdays. 76. The Government may, with the consent of the Member in charge of a Public Bill, adopt the same; but before the said Bill shall be dealt with as a Government Bill the member of the Ministry adopting such Bill shall notify Mr. Speaker in writing that such Bill has beeu adopted by the Government. 77. All dropped Orders of the Day are to : be set down in the Order-book after the Orders of the Day for the next day on which the House shall sit. 78. The House proceeds each day with < business in the following order: 1. Private business ; 2. Public Petitions ; 3. Giving Notices of Motion and Notices of Questions; 4. Presentation of Papers; 5. Motions for Leave of Absence; 6. Unopposed Motions for Returns; 7. Leave to introduce Bills; 8. Reports of Select Committees; 9. Questions; 10. Orders of the Day and Notices of Motion, in the order in which they are set down in the Order Paper. 79. If at the hours fixed by the Standing Orders for Mr. Speaker or the Chairman of Committees to interpose to interrupt the business under discussion a Motion has been proposed for the Adjournment of the House or of the Debate, or, in Committee, that the Chairman do Report Progress, or do leave the Chair, every such dilatory Motion shall lapse without Question put. VII. —Questions. 80. Before the public business is entered upon, Questions are permitted to be put to

Clerk to read tha Orders of the Day without Question being pat.

Government Orders or Government Motions to have precedence on certain days.

Private Mem. hers' business to have precedence on Wednesdays.

Order of precedence on Thursdays.

Private Members' Bills may be adopted by Government.

Dropped Orders.

Order of business.

Dilatory Motions for Adjournment or to Report Progress.

Questions to Ministers or other Members,

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Questions not to involve argument.

Improper Question or Motion a breach of order, and omitted from Order Paper.

Motion for Adjournment not to be made until questions disposed of.

Notices oi Motion.

.Restriction upon more than one Notice being given at one time.

When more than one Notice given at same time.

Notices may be given for absent Members. Restrictions upon Notices.

Notices take precedence on Wednesdays.

Certain Notices shall be expunged.

Notices postponed.

The terms may be altered.

Precedence of Motions.

Notices not dealt with to be struck out.

Ministers of the Crown relating to public affairs, and to other Members relating to any Bill, Motion, or other public matter connected with the business of the House in which such Members may be concerned. 81. Questions and the replies thereto are not to contain argument, nor are any facts to be stated beyond what are necessary to elucidate such Questions and replies. 82. Any Question or Motion calculated to bring the House into ridicule or contempt, and any Question which contains any discreditable or disrespectful reference to or insinuation against the House or any Member thereof, or which relates to the private affairs of any Member or other person, is a breach of order, and if notice be given of any such Question or Motion the Clerk shall omit the same from the Order Paper, or if by inadvertence it appear thereon such Question or Motion shall not be put. 83. No Motion for the Adjournment of the House shall be made until all the Questions on the Notice Paper have been disposed of, unless by leave of the House.

VIII. —Notices op Motion. 84.- Every Member, in giving notice of Motion, is to deliver at the Table a copy of such Notice, fairly written, together with his name, and the day proposed for bringing on such Motion. 85. With the exception of Ministers, and the Chairman of Committees as regards sessional Notices, a Member on rising to give a Notice shall be restricted to giving one Notice until other Members shall each have had an opportunity of giving one Notice. 86. If,' in contravention of the preceding Order, any Member shall give more than one Notice at one and the same time, all such Notices; except the one first given, shall be placed at the foot of the list of Notices for the day for which they are given. 87. A Member may give Notice for any other Member not then present. 88. No Notice may be given for any day beyond the period which shall include the four days next following on which Notices are entitled to precedence ; due allowance being made for any intervening adjournment of the House, and the period being in that case so far extended as to include four Notice days falling during the sitting of the House. 89. Notices of Motions take precedence of Orders of the Day on Wednesdays, unless the House shall have otherwise directed. 90. Any Notice containing unbecoming expressions shall be expunged from the Notice Paper by order of the Speaker. 91. A Member desiring to change the day for bringing on a Motion may give notice of such Motion for any day subsequent to that first named, subject to the same Rules as other Notices of Motions. 92. After a Notice of Motion has been given, the terms thereof may be altered by the Member, on delivering at the Table an amended Notice. 93. Motions will have precedence on each day according to the order in which the Notices for the same were given. 94. All Notices of Motion which have not been dealt with within two weeks from the 2—H. 11.

date fixed for their consideration on the Order Paper will be struck off the Paper, subject always to the right of renewal. 95. An urgent Motion, directly concerning privileges of the House, will take precedence of other Motions, as well as of Orders of the Day. 96. Precedence is ordinarily given by courtesy to a Motion for a Vote of the thanks of the House. 97. A Motion may be made, by consent of the House, without previous notice. 98. When a Motion has been made and seconded a Question thereupon is proposed to the House by Mr. Speaker. 99. Any Motion not seconded may not be further debated, but is forthwith dropped, and no entry thereof is made in the Journals. 100. A Member who has made a Motion may withdraw the same by leave of the House, such leave being granted without any negative voice. 101. A Motion, once in possession of the House, cannot be withdrawn in the absence of the Mover except with his consent, unless circumstances preclude the possibility of his being consulted.

IX.—Superseding Motions. 102. A Question may be superseded: (1) By the adjournment of the House, either on the Motion of a Member "That this House do now adjourn," or on notice being taken, and it appearing, that a quorum is not present; (2) by a Motion "That the Orders of the Day be now read," which Motion, however, is restricted to days on which Motions have precedence of Orders of the Day; (3) by the Previous Question, viz., "That the Question be not now put," being proposed and carried; and (4) by Amendment.

X.—Time Limit op Speeches. 103. No Member shall speak for more than half an hour at a time in any Debate in the House, except in the Debate on the Address in Eeply, or on the Financial Statement, or in a Debate on a Motion of " No Confidence," or in moving the second reading of a Bill, or on the Debate on the Appropriation Bill, when a Member shall be at liberty to speak for one hour. In Committee of the House no Member shall speak for more than ten minutes at any one time, or more than four times upon any one Question before the Committee. Provided that this rule shall not apply in Committee to a Member in charge of a Bill, or to a Minister when delivering the Financial Statement in Committee of Supply.

Xl.—Adjournment of the House. 104. The Adjournment of the House may be moved at any time after the Questions are disposed of, but the Debate on such Motion must be confined strictly to the Question of Adjournment, unless seven Members rise, and then any specific questions alluded to in the replies of Ministers to Questions on that day may be discussed. 105. In speaking to such Motion the Mover shall not exceed thirty minutes, and any other Member shall not exceed fifteen minutes, and the whole discussion on the subject shall not exceed two hours.

Questions of privilege.

Vote of thanks

Motions without notice.

Questions proposed.

Motions not seconded.

Motions withdrawn.

Motion cannot be withdrawn without consent of Mover.

Questions superseded : 1. By adjournment;

2. By reading the Orders of the Day;

3. By Previous Question; 4. By amendment.

Time limit of Speeches,

When Adjournment may be moved. Debate thereon.

Time limit in debate on Adjournment.

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Second motion or Adjournment.

Debates interrupted.

Complicated Questions may be divided.

Question put and again stated,

Question determined by a majority of voices.

Mr. Speaker states whether "Ayes" or "Noes" "have it."

Divisions on Adjournment, &c, may be dispensed with if called for by less than five Members.

Same Question not to be proposed again.

A Motion withdrawn may be made again.

Resolution or Vote rescinded.

An Order discharged.

Different forms of Amendment.

106. No second Motion for the Adjournment of the House shall be made on the same day, save by a Minister of the Crown, or by a Member supported by at least nine other Members rising in their places in support of the Motion.

XII. —How Debate mat be inteeeupted. 107. The Debate upon a Question maybe interrupted: 1. By a matter of privilege suddenly arising; 2. By words of heat between Members ; 3. By Question of order ; 4. By a Message from the Governor or his Commissioners; 5. By an Answer to an Address ; 6. By a Message from the Legislative Council; 7. By the time being come for a Conference ; 8. By a Member appearing to be sworn ; 9. By a Motion for reading an Act of Parliament, an entry in the Journal, or other public document, relevant to the Question before the House ; 10. By a Motion that strangers be ordered to withdraw.

Xlll.—Putting the Question. 108. The House may order a complicated Question to be divided. 109. So soon as the Debate upon a Question is concluded, Mr. Speaker puts the Question to the House; and, if the same should not be heard, will again state it to the House. 110. A Question being put is resolved in the affirmative or negative by the majority of voices, " Aye" or "No." 111. Mr. Speaker states whether, in his opinion, the " Ayes " or the " Noes " " have it," and, unless his opinion be acquiesced in by the minority, the Question is determined by a Division. 112. When after the doors have been locked for a Division upon a Motion for the Adjournment of a Debate, or of the House during any Debate, or that the Chairman of a Committee do report progress or do leave the Chair, the decision of Mr. Speaker or the Chairman that the " Ayes " or " Noes" have it is challenged, Mr. Speaker or the Chairman may call upon the Members challenging it to rise in their places, and, if they be less than five in a House of twenty Members or upwards, he may forthwith declare the determination of the House or of the Committee. The names of such challenging Members shall be recorded if required.

XlV.—Same Question not to be twice submitted. 113. No Question or Amendment may be proposed which is the same in substance as any Question which, during the same Session, has been resolved in the affirmative or negative. 114. A Motion which has been, by leave of the House, withdrawn, may be made again during the same Session. 115. A Resolution or other Vote of the House may be read and rescinded. 116. An Order of the House may be read and discharged.

XV.—Amendments . 117. A Question having been proposed may be amended by leaving out certain words only; by leaving out certain words

in order to insert or add other words; or by inserting or adding words. 118. An Amendment proposed, but not seconded, will not be entertained by the House, nor entered in the Journals. 119. When the proposed Amendment is to leave out certain words Mr. Speaker puts a Question, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," which is resolved by the House in the affirmative or negative, as the case may be. 120. When the proposed Amendment is to leave out certain words in order to insert or add other words Mr. Speaker puts a Question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question," which, if resolved in the affirmative, disposes of the Amendment, but if in the negative another Question is put, that the words of the Amendment be inserted or added instead thereof, which is resolved in the affirmative or negative, as the case may be. 121. When the proposed Amendment is to insert or add certain words Mr. Speaker puts a Question that such words be inserted or added, which is resolved in the affirmative or negative, as the case may be. 122. No Amendment may be proposed in any part of a Question after a latter part has been amended, or has been proposed to be amended, unless a proposed Amendment has been, by leave of the House, withdrawn. 123. No Amendment may be proposed to be made to any words which the House has resolved shall stand part of a Question, or shall be inserted in or added to a Question, except the addition of other words thereto. 124. A proposed Amendment may be, by leave of the House, withdrawn. 125. Amendments may be proposed to a proposed Amendment whenever it comes to a Question whether the House shall agree to such proposed Amendment. 126. When Amendments have been made, the main Question, as amended, is put. 127. When Amendments have been proposed, but not made, the Question is put as originally proposed.

XVl.—Eules of Debate. 128. Every Member desiring to speak is to rise in his place uncovered, and to address himself to Mr. Speaker. 129. By the special indulgence of the House, a Member unable conveniently to stand, by reason of sickness or infirmity, will be permitted to speak sitting and uncovered. 130. Members can only speak to a point of Order, while the House is dividing, by permission of the Speaker, and while speaking are to sit covered. 131. No Member may speak to any question after the same has been put by Mr. Speaker, and the voices having been given in the affirmative and negative thereon. 132. When two or more Members rise to speak Mr. Speaker calls upon the Member who first rose in his place.

Amendments to be seconded.

Amendment to leave out words.

Amendment to leave out words, and insert or add others.

Amendment to insert or add words.

When latter part of a Question has been amended, or proposed to be amended.

No Amendment to be made to words already agreed to.

Proposed Amendment withdrawn. Amendments to proposed Amendments

Questions as amended put.

When Amendments proposed but not made.

Members to address Mr. Speaker.

Indulgence to Members unable to stand.

Speaking to Order during a Division.

No Member to speak after a Question has been put.

Mr. Speaker calls upon Members to speak.

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Motion that a Member "be now heard."

Members to speak to the Question.

Personal explanation.

No Member to speak twice,

Except to explain his words,

Or to reply in certain cases.

Speaking to order.

Debates of same Session not to be alluded to.

Reflections upon Votes of the House.

Allusion to Debates in the other House. No Member to be referred to by name. Offensive words against either House.

Offensive words against Members, or personal reflections, &c.

Words taken down by direction of Mr. Speaker.

Words taken down in Committee.

Words to be objected to when used.

Members not explaining or retracting.

133. A Motion may be made that any Member who has risen " be now heard " or " do now speak." 134. A Member may speak to any Question before the House, or upon a Question or Amendment to be proposed by himself, or upon a Question of Order arising out of the Debate; but not otherwise. 135. By the indulgence of the House, a Member may explain matters of a personal nature, although there is no Question before the House; but such matters may not be debated. 136. No Member may speak twice to a Question, except in explanation or reply, or in Committee of the whole House. 137. A Member who has spoken to a Question may again be heard to explain himself in regard to some material part of his speech, hut is not to introduce any new matter. 138. A reply is allowed to a Member who has made a substantive Motion to the House, but not to any Member who has moved an Amendment, " the Previous Question," or any Instruction to a Committee. 139.. Any Member may rise to speak " to order," or upon a matter of privilege suddenly arising. 140. No Member is to allude to any Debate of the same Session, upon a Question or Bill not being then under discussion, except by the indulgence of the House, for personal explanations. 141. No Member may reflect upon any Vote of the House, except for the purpose of moving that such Vote be rescinded. 142. No Member may allude to any Debate in the other House of Parliament. 143. No Member may refer to any other Member by name. 144. No Member may use offensive words against either House of Parliament, nor against any statute, unless for the purpose of moving for its repeal. 145. No Member may use offensive or unbecoming words in reference to any Member of the House; and all imputations of improper motives, or offensive reference to a Member's private affairs, and all personal reflections, shall be deemed highly disorderly. 146. When any Member objects to words used in debate, and desires them to be taken down, Mr. Speaker, if it appear to be the pleasure of the House, will direct them to be taken down by the Clerk accordingly. 147. In a Committee of the whole House, the Chairman, if it appear to be the pleasure of the Committee, will direct words objected to to be taken down, in order that the same may be reported to the House. 148. Every such objection is to be taken at the time when such words are used, and not after any other Member has spoken. 149. Any Member having used objectionable words, and not explaining or retracting the same, or offering apologies for the use thereof to the satisfaction of the House, will be censured, or otherwise dealt with as the House may think fit.

150. The House will interfere to prevent the prosecution of any quarrel between Members arising out of debates or proceedings of the House or any Committee thereof. 151. No member of the House is to presume to make any noise or disturbance whilst any Member is orderly debating, or whilst any Bill, Order, or other matter is being read or opened ; and, in any case of such noise or disturbance, Mr. Speaker is to call upon the Member by name making such disturbance; and every such person will incur the displeasure and censure of the House. 152. A Debate may be adjourned to a later hour on the same day, or any other day. 153. If a Motion for the Adjournment of the Debate be negatived, it can be moved' again, by another Member, at a later stage of the same debate, provided some other Motion shall have intervened ; but cannot be moved, or seconded, a second time by the same Members who proposed or seconded the Motion for Adjournment. 154. An Adjourned Debate on a Question relating to any Privileges of the House shall stand first on the Notice Paper for the day of adjournment. 155. When a Debate is adjourned, no: Member who has spoken to a Question may : speak again to the same Question when the Debate is resumed. 156. A Member who has spoken to a Question may sr)eak again to the Question of - Adjournment, or to any other new Question i which may arise, but may not speak a second time to the same question, except in Committee. 157. A Member who has spoken only on the Question of Adjournment may speak sub- . sequently on the Main Question. ( 158. A Member who has spoken on the t Main Question may not again enter upon it i when speaking to the Question of Adjourn- ] ment or to an Amendment. * 159. When an Amendment is moved the ] Debate must be confined to the Amend- i ment, unless it be of such a nature as to in-' volve the consideration or. decision of the ] Main Question (of which Mr. Speaker is the judge), in which case both the Main Question and the Amendment are open for discussion, but by such Members only as have not spoken to the Main Question. 160. No Member who has spoken to any i Amendment can subsequently speak to the \ Main Question, either as originally proposed or c as amended. 161. An Amendment) cannot be with- 1 drawn in the absence of the Mover except \ with his consent, unless circumstances pre- e elude the possibility of his being consulted. 162. Except in Committee, no Member i who has moved, seconded, or spoken to an ° Amendment can move or second a further a Amendment to the same Question. 163. A Member who has spoken to the ■* Main Question, or to any Motion which involves the Main Question, may not move or » second an Amendment (except in Committee), " the Adjournment of the House, the Adjourn- A ment of the Debate, the Previous Question, or a Motion to proceed to the Orders of the Day or a particular Order. He may speak to any such Motion (except the Previous Question , ; when made by another Member,

t House will prevent quarrels. f

.No noise or , interruption to 3 be allowed - during Debate. i

' Debate may be adjourned.

' Motion for Adjournment of Debate may be ■ repeated.

Adjourned Debate on Question of Privilege to take precedence.

Member who has spoken not to speak again when Debate resumed.

Member who has spoken on Main Question may speak on Adjournment.

Member who has spoken on Adjournment only may speak on Main Question.

Member who has spoken on Main Question not again to enter upon it.

Debate on Amendment ia confined to Amendment. Exception.

Member who has spoken to Amendment cannot speak on Main Question.

Amendment cannot be withdrawn without consent of Mover.

Member who has moved.seconded, or spoken to Amendment cannot move or second further Amendment.

Member who has spoken to Main Question may not move or second Amendment, &e.

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Adjournment of House cannot be moved or seconded by mover or seconder of Adjournment of Debate.

Business interrupted by countout may be reinstated.

Member may be required to discontinue his speech.

Rules of Debate in Committee.

Order maintained by Mr. Speaker, and Chairman of Committee.

When Mr. Speaker rises, House to be silent.

Member to withdraw while his conduct is under Debate.

Member may be suspended.

but must confine his remarks thereto, and may not debate the Main Question thereupon. 164. A Member who has moved or seconded the Adjournment of the House cannot afterwards move or second the Adjournment of the Debate or any similar Motion or an Amendment, or vice versa. 165. If a Debate or any Motion or Order of the Day be interrupted by the House being counted out, such Debate may be resumed by Motion, upon notice, at the point where it was so interrupted. 166. Mr. Speaker, or, in a Committee of the whole House, the Chairman, may call the attention of the House or Committee, as the case may be, to continued irrelevance or tedious repetition on the part of a Member, and may, after such warning, direct such Member to discontinue his speech. 167. The several Rules for maintaining order in Debate are to be observed in every Committee of the whole House. 168. Order is maintained in the House by Mr. Speaker, and in a Committee of the whole House by the Chairman of such Committee ; but disorder in Committee can only be censured by the House on receiving a report thereof. 169. Whenever Mr. Speaker rises during a Debate any Member then speaking, or offering to speak, is to sit down, and the House is to be silent, so that Mr. Speaker may be heard without interruption. 170. Every Member against whom any charge has been made, having been heard in his place, is to withdraw while such charge is under Debate.

XVll.—Powbe of Suspension. 171. Whenever any Member shall have been named by the Speaker, or by the Chairman of a Committee of the whole House, immediately after the commission of the offence of disregarding the authority of the Chair, or of abusing the Eules of the House by persistently and wilfully obstructing the business of the House, or otherwise, or whenever any Member shall have been reported to the Speaker by the Chairman as having been guilty of disorderly conduct, or of the wilful breach of any Standing Order, then, if the offence has been committed by such Member in the House, the Speaker shall forthwith put the Question, on a Motion being made, " That such Member be suspended from the service of the House"; and, if the offence has been committed in a Committee of the whole House, the Chairman shall, on a Motion being made, put the same Question in a similar way, and if the Motion is carried shall forthwith suspend the proceedings of the Committee and report the circumstance to the House ; and the Speaker shall thereupon put the same Question as if the offence had been committed in the House itself. If any Member be suspended under this Order, the term of his suspension shall thereupon be fixed by the House, but so that his suspension on the first occasion shall continue for not exceeding one week, on the second occasion for not exceeding a fortnight, and

on the third, or any subsequent occasion, for not exceeding a month: Provided always that suspension from the service of the House shall not exempt the Member so suspended from serving on any Committee for the consideration of a Private Bill to which he may have been appointed before his suspension : Provided also that not more than one Member shall be named at the same time, unless several Members, present together, have jointly disregarded the authority of the Chair : Provided always that nothing in this Resolution shall be taken to deprive the House of the power of proceeding against any Member according to ancient usages. 172. Any Member who refuses to retract, explain, or apologize for any objectionable words at the demand of the Speaker or Chairman shall be liable to be censured, or, if the House shall think fit, to suspension from the service of the House for not exceeding one week for a first offence, for not exceeding a fortnight for a second offence, and for not exceeding one month for a third or any subsequent offence. 173. A Member suspended from the service of the House shall, during the period of such suspension, forfeit, for the time being, the right of access to the Chamber, and, if the House shall so direct, to the Library, to Bellamy's, or the lobbies. Save that, if he be a Member of a Committee on a Private Bill, he may enter the buildings for the purpose of proceeding to the room in which such Committee is sitting or is appointed to sit.

XVlll. —Divisions. 174. Every Member present in the House when the Question is put will be required to vote; and, in case he should not have heard the Question put, Mr. Speaker will again state it to him. 175. When a Division is called for the Clerk is to turn a two-minute sand-glass, kept on the Table for that purpose, and the doors are not to be closed until after the lapse of two minutes, as indicated by such sand-glass. 176. The doors are to be closed so soon after the lapse of two minutes as the Speaker or the Chairman of a Committee of the whole House shall think proper to direct. 177. When the doors have been locked, and all the Members are in their places, Mr. Speaker puts the Question, and, after the voices have been given, declares whether, in his opinion, the " Ayes " or the " Noes "' " have it," which not being agreed to, he directs the " Ayes " to pass to the right and the " Noes " to the left, and appoints two Tellers for each party. 178. In case there should not be two Tellers for one of the parties, Mr. Speaker forthwith declares the Resolution of the House. 179. Every Member is counted by the Tellers, and his name is also taken down. 180. When all the Members have resumed their places the Tellers on either side come to the Table, and report the numbers to Mr. Speaker, who declares them to the House.

Censure or suspension of Member for certainoffences.

Eights of suspended Member

Every Member present must vote.

Doors not to be closed until two minutes after Division called for.

Doors to be closed after the lapse of two minutes.

Mr. Speaker puts the Question, and appoints two Tellers for each party.

If not two Tellers, no Division allowed.

Members counted, and their names taken down. Tellers report the numbers.

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In case of error House again divides.

Mistakes corrected in Journals.

Where votes equal, Mr. Speaker gives casting-voice.

Division-lists printed in Journals.

Divisions in Committee.

JN*o Member to vote if personally interested.

House resolves itself into a Committee.

Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair.

When Committee has reported progress.

The Mace placed under the Table.

Chair taken by Chairman of Committees.

In case of difference House appoints Chairman.

Committee to consider matters referred.

Questions decided by a majority.

A Motion is not seconded.

Previous Question in Negative form not allowed.

181. In case of confusion or error concerning the numbers reported, unless the same can be otherwise corrected, the House will proceed to a second Division. 182. If the numbers have been inaccurately reported, the House, on being afterwards informed thereof, will order the Journals to be corrected. 183. In case of an equality of votes, Mr. Speaker gives a casting-voice, and any reasons stated by him are entered in the Journals. 184. The names of Members who have voted on divisions are entered in the Journals. 185. Divisions are taken in a Committee of the whole House in the same manner as in the House itself. 186. No Member is entitled to vote upon any Question in which he has a direct pecuniary interest, either in the House or Committee ; and the vote of any Member so interested will be disallowed.

XIX.^COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HoUSE. 187. A Committee of the whole House is appointed by a Resolution " That this House will resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House.'" 188. When such a Resolution has been agreed to, or an Order of the Day read for the House to resolve itself into Committee, Mr. Speaker puts a Question " That I do now leave the Chair/'' which being agreed to, he leaves the Chair accordingly. 189. When a Bill or other matter (except Supply or Ways and Means) has been partly considered in Committee, and the Chairman has been directed to report progress and ask leave to sit again, and the House has ordered that the Committee shall sit again on a particular day, Mr. Speaker, when the Order for the Committee has been read, is forthwith to leave the Chair without putting any Question, and the House thereupon resolves itself into such Committee. 190. So soon as Mr. Speaker has left the Chair the Mace is placed under the Table, and the Chairman takes the Chair of the Committee at the Table. 191. The Chair is ordinarily taken by the Chairman of Committees. 192. If any difference should arise in Committee concerning the election of a Chairman Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair, and a Chairman is appointed by the House. 193. A Committee may consider such matters only as have been referred to them by the House. (See also No. 234.) 194. Every Question in Committee is decided by a majority of voices; and, in case of an equality of voices, the Chairman gives a casting-voice. 195. A Motion made in Committee is not seconded. 196. No Motion for the Previous Question, "That the Question be not now put," can be made in Committee. 3—H. 11.

197. In Committee, Members may speak more than once to the same Question; but, when more than one Member rises to speak, the Chairman shall give preference to a Member who has not previously spoken on the same Question, or to a Member who has spoken less frequently than other Members presenting themselves to the Chairman's notice. (See also No. 103.) 198. The same order in Debate is to be observed as in the House itself. 199. If any sudden disorder should arise in Committee Mr. Speaker will resume the Chair without any Question being put. 200. Mr. Speaker will also resume the Chair if the time be come for holding a Conference with the Council., or if a Message be brought to attend the Governor, or the Commissioners, in the Council Chambers. 201. If notice be taken, or it appear upon a Division of Committee, that Twenty Members, inclusive of the Chairman, are not present, the Chairman leaves the Chair, and Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair. 202. If there be Twenty Members, inclusive of himself, when the House is counted by Mr. Speaker the House again resolves itself into a Committee of the whole House. 203. When all the matters referred to a Committee have been considered the Chairman is, directed to report the same to the House. 204. When all such matters have not been considered the Chairman is directed to report progress, and ask leave to sit again. 205. A Motion may be made during the proceedings of a Committee, "That the Chairman do report progress, and ask leave to sit again." 206. A Motion, " That the Chairman do now leave the Chair," will, if carried, super- : sedethe further proceedings of a Committee.' 207. When a Motion is made "That the; Chairman do report progress " or " do leave j the Chair," the debate thereupon shall be confined to the matter of such Motion. 208. Every Report from a Committee of: the whole House is to be brought up with- , out any Question being put. 209. The Resolutions reported from a i Committee are read a first and second time,' and are agreed to or disagreed to by the House, or agreed to with Amendments, or recommitted to the Committee, or the further consideration thereof postponed.

XX. —Select Committees. 210. No Select Committee shall consist of less than Five nor of more than Ten Mem-' bers, without leave from the House, on; Motion with notice. 211. Standing Order No. 210, which pre-1 scribes the minimum and maximum of the j number of Members to compose a Committee, i shall be strictly enforced, and no deviation therefrom allowed, unless by a suspension of the Order.

Members may apeak more than once.

Order in Debate.

! Disorder arising.

» Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair • in certain cases.

When Twenty Members not present.

House counted by Mr. Speaker,

, Report.

Report of progress.

Motion to report progress.

Motion that the Chairman do now leave the Chair.

Debate on Motion to report progress, &e.

Report to be brought up without Question,

Resolutions of Committee.

Committee to consist of not less than Five nor more than Ten Members.

Order 210 not to be deviated from unless by suspension.

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Notice of nomination to be given.

List of Members serving.

Names of Members asking Questions to be entered in Minutes.

Names of Members present.

Divisions to be entered.

When Quorum not present.

Members discharged and added.

Quorum appointed by House.

Quorum of a Joint Committee.

Fower to send for persons, papers, and records.

Admission of strangers to Committees.

When Members of the House may be present.

Secret Committees.

Chairman has deliberative and casting vote.

Committee adjourns.

212. Every Member intending to move for the appointment of a Select Committee is to place on his Notice the names of the Members intended to be proposed by him to be Members of such Committee. 213. Lists are to be posted in some conspicuous place in the Clerk's Office, and in the Lobby of the House, of all Members serving on each Select Committee, 214. To every question asked of a witness under examination, in the proceedings of any Select Committee, is to be prefixed in the minutes of the evidence the name of the Member asking such Question, 215. The names of the members present each day on the sitting of any Select Committee are to be entered on the minutes of evidence, or on the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee (as the case may be), and reported to the House on the Report of such Committee. 216. In the event of any Division taking place in any Select Committee, the Question proposed, the name of the Proposer, and the respective votes thereupon of each Member present, are to be entered on the minutes of evidence, or on the minutes of the proceedings of the Committee (as the case may be), and reported to the House on the Report of such Committee. 217. If at any time during the sitting of a Select Committee of this House the Quorum of Members fixed by the House be not present the Clerk of the Committee is to call the attention of the Chairman to the fact, who is thereupon to suspend the proceedings of the Committee until a Quorum be present, or to adjourn the Committee to some future day. 218. Members may be afterwards discharged from attending a Select Committee, and other Members appointed after previous notice given. 219. The Quorum of each Committee shall, unless otherwise ordered, consist of three Members. 220. The Quorum of a Joint Committee shall consist of three Members of each House. 221. Whenever it may be necessary the House gives a Committee power to send for persons, papers, and records. 222. When a Committee is examining witnesses it admits or excludes strangers at its pleasure, but always excludes them when deliberating. 223. Members of the House may be present when the Committee is examining witnesses, but withdraw, by courtesy, when the Committee is deliberating. 224. No strangers, or Members not being of the Committee, are admitted at any time to a Secret Committee. 225. The Chairman of a Select Committee shall have a deliberative as well as a casting vote. 226. A Select Committee may adjourn from time to time, and, by leave of the House, from place to place.

227. Except by leave of the House, no Select Committee may sit during the sitting of the House. 228. The evidence taken hy any Select Committee of the House, and documents presented to such Committee, and which have not been reported to this House, ought not to be published hy any Member of such Committee, nor by any other person. 229. Proof copies of the evidence shall be distributed to Members of the Committee only. 230. By leave of the House, a Committee may report its opinions or observations from time to time, or report the minutes of evidence only, or proceedings, from time to time. 231. On the appointment of every Select Committee, a day shall be fixed for the bringing up of their Report, on which, or on some earlier day, their final Report shall be brought up, unless further time be previously moved for and granted. 232. The Report of a Committee is brought up by the Chairman, and is ordered to lie on the Table of the House, and may, on Questions put and passed, be read, and ordered to be printed, or is otherwise dealt with as the House may direct. 233. Committees have only power to report their opinions to the House. If it is desired by a Committee that the Government should take action in any matter connected with their proceedings or on their Report the Chairman should be instructed to move in the House to that effect.

XXl.—lnstructions to Committees. 234. An Instruction empowers a Committee of the whole House to consider matters not otherwise referred to them. 235. It is an Instruction to all Committees of the whole House to whom Bills may be committed that they have power to make such Amendments therein as they shall think fit, provided they be relevant to the subjectmatter of the Bill; but that, if any such Amendments shall not he within the Title of the Bill, they do amend the Title accordingly, and do report the same specially to the House. 236. An Instruction to a Committee on a Bill empowers the Committee to make provision therein, and may not be moved if they have already power to make such provision. 237. An Instruction shall ordinarily be moved after the Order of the Day has been read, and not as an Amendment to the Question, " That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair." 238. An Instruction to a Select Committee extends or restricts the Order of Reference.

Not to sit during sitting of the House without leave.

Evidence, &c, not to be published until reported.

Copies of evidence delivered to Members of Committee only.

Report from time to time.

Day fixed for bringing up Report.

Report brought up.

Powers of Committees limited to reporting opinions to the House.

Effect of an Instruction.

Committees on Bills to make Amendments relevant to subject-matter.

What Instructions may not be moved.

When to be moved.

Instruction to a Select Committee.

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Summoned by Order of the House.

Witness in custody.

Summoned by Committees.'

When witness does not attend a Committee.

Neglect or refusal to attend

Attendance of Members to be examined.

By a Committee.

If Members refuse to attend.

Committee to acquaint House of charges against Memhers.

Message for attendance of Legislative Councillors.

Witnesses examined pursuant to "Parliamentary Privileges Act, 1865."

Tampering with witnesses.

XXll.—Witnesses. 239. Witnesses are summoned by the House in order to be examined at the bar of the House, or before a Committee of the whole House, or a Select Committee, by Orders of the House signed by the Clerk. 240. Where a witness is in the custody of the keeper of any prison, such keeper is ordered to bring the witness in safe custody, in order to his being examined, and so from time to time as often as his attendance shall be thought necessary ; and Mr. Speaker is ordered to issue his Warrant accordingly. 241. A Committee having power to send for persons, papers, and records, summons witnesses by its own Orders, signed by theChairman. 242. If any witness should not attend pursuant to the order of a Committee his absence is reported, and the House orders him to attend the House; but such Order is usually discharged in case the witness shall have attended the Committee before the time appointed for his attending the House. 243. In any case, the neglect or refusal of a witness to attend in obedience to an Order of the House, or of a Committee having power to summon witnesses, or in obedience to a warrant of Mr. Speaker, will be censured or otherwise punished, at the pleasure of the House. 244. When the attendance of a Member is desired, to be examined by the House, or a Committee of the whole House, he is ordered to attend in his place. 245. If a Committee desire the attendance of a Member as a witness the Chairman writes to request him to attend. 246. If any Member of the House refuse, upon being sent for, to come to give evidence or information as a witness to a Committee, the Committee ought to acquaint the House therewith, and not summon such Member to attend the Committee. 247. If any information come before any Committee that chargeth any Member of the House the Committee ought only to direct that the House be acquainted with the matter of such information, without proceeding further thereupon. 248. When the attendance of a Member of the Legislative Council, or of one of its Officers, is desired, to be examined by the House, or any Committee thereof (not being a Committee on a Private Bill), a Message is sent to the Legislative Council requesting it to give leave to such Member or Officer to attend, in order to his being examined accordingly upon the matters stated in such Message. 249. Witnesses may be examined by the House, or any Committee thereof, pursuant to "The Parliamentary Privileges Act, 1865." 250. If it shall appear that any person hath been tampering with any witness in respect of his evidence to' be given to this

House, or any Committee thereof, or directly or indirectly hath endeavoured to deter or hinder any person from appearing or giving evidence, the same is declared to be a high crime and misdemeanour; and this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offender. 251. If it shall appear that any person hath given false evidence in any case before this House, or any Committee thereof, this House will proceed with the utmost severity against such offender. 252. All witnesses examined before this - House, or any Committee thereof, are en- j titled to the protection of this House in respect of anything that may be said by them in their evidence. 253. No Clerk or officer of this House, or i shorthand writer employed to take minutes \ of evidence before this House, or any Com- c mittee thereof, may give evidence elsewhere in respect of any proceedings or examination had at the Bar, or before any Committee of this House, without the special leave of the House. 254. When the evidence of a witness i examined before a Select Committee is taken ' down in shorthand and ordered to be printed < a copy of his own examination is sent to each witness for his revision, with an instruction that he can only make verbal corrections, as corrections in substance can only be effected by re-examination. The corrected copy, signed by the witness, should be returned without delay to the Committee Clerk, who will submit it to the Chairman, and, if the ■corrections are approved by him, it will be retained by the Clerk as record copy of the evidence. 255. W rhen a witness is to be examined i by the House Mr. Speaker conducts the * examination, the Mace being on the Table; and any questions addressed by Members are taken to be put through Mr. Speaker. 256. In Committee of the whole House, i any Member may put questions directly to \ the witness. 257. When a witness is in custody at the i Bar, the Mace being on the Serjeants shoulder, he is examined by Mr. Speaker alone, and no member is to speak. 258. If any question be objected to, or i other matter arise, the witness is ordered to t withdraw while the same is under discussion. 259. A Member of the House is examined i in his place. ® 260. Legislative Councillors and Judges i are introduced by the Serjeant, and have j chairs placed 'for them within the Bar. e

XXlll.—Messages between the two Houses. 261. Bills and Messages from the Legislative Council may be received from any; Member of the Council by the Speaker in : full House, or at the Bar of the House by a Clerk of the House, through a Clerk of the Council.

1 False evidence.

Witnesses entitled to protection.

Evidence of proceedings not to be given without leave.

What corrections may he made in evidence of witnesses.

Examined by the House.

By Committee of the whole House.

Witness in custody.

Witness withdraws if question objected.

Member examined in his place. Legislative Councillors and Judges, how examined.

Messages from Legislative Council, how received.

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How communicated to the Legislative Council.

Message communicated by Mr. Speaker.

Matters communicated at a Conference.

Conference desired by Message. Subject to be stated. Conferences.

Reasons may be communicated by Message.

Message, when considered.

Duties of Managers.

Free Conferences.

When no agreement come to.

262. The Clerk of the House of Representatives may communicate Messages to the Clerk of the Legislative Council, at the Bar of the Council, in order that they may be communicated to the Speaker at the earliest opportunity, without interrupting the public business. But Messages may also be sent by any Members named thereto by the House. Messages from one House to the other shall be in writing, and may be communicated by the Clerk-Assistant of each House respectively, unless the House transmitting the Message shall otherwise direct. 263. So soon as any business proceeding when a Message from the Legislative Council is received has been disposed of Mr. Speaker communicates such Message to the House. \

XXIV. —Conferences. 264. The House may communicate matters to the Council, or have matters communicated by the latter, at a Conference. 265. A Conference is desired by Message. -266. In desiring a Conference, the subjectmatter thereof is to be stated. 267. When a Conference is desired on a Bill in consequence of Amendments made by the Legislative Council being objected to by the House of Representatives the Message desiring the Conference shall specify the Amendments objected to, and the reasons for such objections. 268. In cases in which the Legislative Council disagrees to any Amendments made by the House of Representatives, or insists on any Amendments to which the House has disagreed, the House of Representatives is willing to receive the reasons of the Legislative Council for its disagreeing or insisting, as the case may be, by Message, without a Conference, unless at any time the Legislative Council should desire to communicate the same at a Conference. 269. Any Message from the Legislative Council desiring a Conference, or giving reasons for disagreeing to Amendments made by the House of Representatives, or insisting on Amendments to which the House has disagreed, shall, on Motion without notice, be taken into consideration by the House either immediately or on a future day to be appointed for considering the same. 270. It is the sole duty of the Managers of the one House to read and deliver to the Managers of the other House the Resolutions of the other House on Bills, with reasons for insisting upon Amendments or disagreements to Amendments, or otherwise. 271. After one or more Messages on any subject, a Free Conference thereon may be held, at which the difference between the two Houses may be discussed. Further Free Conferences may be held on the same subject, if desired, by either House. 272. If a Free Conference is held, and no agreement come to, the Bill or Resolution which was the subject of such Conference

shall be in possession of the House objecting to the Amendments, so that it may, if it think fit, accept the Bill or Resolution. 273. After a Free Conference the Managers shall bring up a Report, which shall, on Motion without notice, be taken into consideration by the House either immediately or on a future day to be appointed for considering the same. 274. When a Conference is agreed to such agreement is communicated by Message. 275. The Council appoints the time and place for every Conference. 276. The Managers are named by the House. 277. The time for holding a Conference being come, the names of the Managers are called over, and they repair to the Conference Chamber. 278. Conferences between the two Houses may be held, although neither the House of Representatives nor the Legislative Council shall be sitting at the time.

XXV.—Messages from the Governor. 279. Whenever a written Message from the Governor shall be announced the business before the House shall be immediately suspended, and the bearer of the Message introduced into the body of the House, to deliver the Message to Mr. Speaker. 280. Mr. Speaker shall, unless a previous Message be then under consideration, immediately read the Message to the House, when, if necessary, a time shall be fixed for taking the same into consideration. 281. A Message in writing from the Governor is brought to the House by a Minister of the Crown, being a Member. 282. During the reading of a Message from the Governor Members remain uncovered. 283. A verbal Message from the Governor is communicated to the House by a Minister of the Crown, being a Member. 284. The recommendation or consent of the Governor to any Motion or«Bill is signified to the House by a Minister of the Crown, being a Member.

XXVI. —Addresses to the Governor. 285. Addresses to the Governor are presented by the whole House, or by such Members as the House may name for that purpose. 286. When an address is presented by the whole House Mr. Speaker, with the House, proceeds to His Excellency's residence, and, being introduced, Mr. Speaker reads the Address to His Excellency, the Members who moved and seconded such Address being on his left hand. 287. The concurrence of one House in an Address communicated by the other is signified by Message.

Report from a Free Conference, when considered.

Agreed to by Message.

Council appoints time and place.

Managers.

Names of Managers called over.

Conferences may be held although neither House sitting.

Message from the Governor.

To be read, and time fixed for its consideration.

Message iu writing from the Governor, how brought.

Members uncovered during reading.

Verbal Message from the Governor.

Recommendation of the Governor, how signified.

Addresses to the Governor, how presented.

When Address presented by the whole House.

Concurrence of other House signified by Message.

H.—ll

Joint Addresses,

Legislative Council learns His Excellency's - pleasure.

i Form of presenting Joint Ad- i ■dress. *

•Governor's answer reported by Mr. Speaker.

Or by one of the Members who , presented the Address.

Time forpresenting Petitions.

Petition to be written, lithographed, or printed. Signatures to be written.

No erasure or interlineation in printed or lithographed Petition

How erasures or interlineations may be made in written Petition.

To be signed by at least one person on skin on which prayer is written.

To be in Eoglish or Maori.

To be signed by the parties.

288. Joint Addresses of both Houses are presented to the Governor by both Houses, or in such other manner as may be agreed upon. 289. The Legislative Council learns His Excellency's pleasure when he will receive a Joint Address, and communicates the same to the House of Representatives. 290. When a Joint Address is presented to the Governor by both Houses the Speaker and Members of the Council, and Mr. Speaker, with this House, proceeds to His Excellency's residence, and, being admitted to the Governor's presence, the Speaker of the Council (with Mr. Speaker on his left hand) reads the Address to the Governor. 291. The Governor's answer to any Address presented by the whole House is reported by Mr. Speaker. 292. The Governor's answer to any Address presented otherwise than by the whole House is reported to the House by one of the Members who presented the Address.

XXVII.— Public Petitions. 293. No Petition shall be presented during any Debate, nor after the House shall have proceeded to Motions or Orders of the Day, unless it be a Petition referring to the Question before the House, which may be received immediately upon the reading of the Order of the Day or Notice of Motion. 294. Every Petition is to be fairly written, lithographed, or printed. '295. Signatures to every printed or lithographed Petition are to be written or properly attested, as provided by Standing Order 300. 296. No printed or lithographed Petition will be received if it contains any erasure or interlineation. 297. Every erasure or interlineation in a written Petition must be signed or initialed at each end of such erasure or interlineation by the person or persons signing the Petition, and all such erasures or interlineations must be indorsed and duly signed and attested on the back of every such Petition by the petitioner or petitioners. 298. Every Petition is to be signed at least by one person on the skin or sheet on which the prayer of the Petition is written, printed, or lithographed. 299. Every Petition is to be written, printed, or lithographed in the English or Maori language; and every Maori Petition shall be translated by a Maori Translator appointed by the Speaker from time to time for that purpose before it shall be presented to the House. 300. Every Petition is to be signed by the persons whose names are appended thereto, except in the case of incapacity to write, and in such case the mark or assent of the petitioner or petitioners roust be witnessed or certified to by at least two persons, or by a Justice of the Peace or Postmaster. 4—H. 11.

301. The signatures are required to be written upon the Petition itself, and not pasted upon or otherwise transferred thereto. 302. Petitions of corporations aggregate are required to be under their common seal; or, in the case of bodies incorporated elsewhere than within the colony, then under the hand of duly-authorised attorneys of such corporations. 303. No letters, affidavits, or other documents may be attached to any Petition. 304. No reference may be made in a Petition to any Debate in Parliament, nor to any intended Motion, unless notice of such Motion shall have been duly given and printed in the Order Paper. 305. This House will not receive any Petition for compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown upon any branch of the revenue without a certificate from the proper officer or officers annexed to the said Petition stating the debt, what prosecutions have been made for the recovery of such debt, and setting forth how much the petitioner and his security are able to satisfy thereof. 306. It is highly unwarrantable, and a breach of the privileges of this House, for any person to set the name of any other person to any Petition to be presented to this House, except as provided in Standing Order 268. 307. Every Member presenting a Petition to the House is to affix his name at the beginning thereof. 308. Every Member presenting a Petition is to take care that the same is in conformity with the Rules and Orders of the House. 309. Every Petition is to be respectful, decorous, and temperate in its language. 310. Petitions can only be presented to the House by a Member. 311. A Member cannot present a Petition from himself. 312. Every Member offering to present a Petition to the House, not being a Petition for a Private Bill, or relating to a Private Bill before the House, is to confine himself to a statement of the parties from whom it comes, of the number of signatures attached to it, and of the material allegations contained in it. 313. Every such Petition, not containing matter in breach of the Privileges of this House, and which, according to the Rules or usual practice of this House can be received, is brought to the Table by the direction of the Speaker, who cannot allow any Debate or any Member to speak upon or in relation to such Petition ; but it may be read by the Clerk at the Table, if required. 314. In the case of such Petition complaining of some present personal grievance for which there maybe an urgent necessity for providing an immediate remedy, the matter contained in such Petition may be brought into discussion on the presentation thereof. 315. All other such Petitions, after they shall have been ordered to lie on the Table,

Signatures not to be transferred.

Common seals of corporations.

No letters, affidavits, &c, to be attached. Debates not to be referred to.

Petitions for compounding' debts to the Crown.

Forgery of signatures.

Members to affix their names.

Members to peruse Petitions.

Petitions to be respectful.

Petitions presented by Members. Petitions from Members.

Members confined to statements of certain facts.

Not to be debated.

Petitions complaining of grievances.

Petitions re* ferred to Petitions

H.—ll

Classification Committee.

And in certain cases ordered to be printed.

Petitions against taxes.

Petitions from Maoris.

Heports on Maori Petitions.

Bills ordered

Members appointed to bring in Bills.

Joint Committee on Bills.

Proceedings suspended until after report.

PriTate Bills.

Grants of money.

Bills ordered to be withdrawn.

( Bills presented. C

shall be referred, without any Question being put, to the Committee of Classification, with a view to ascertain whether such Petitions are in compliance with Standing Orders, and to classify the same for distribution amongst the several Committees of the House; but if any such Petition relate to any matter or subject with respect to which the Member presenting it has given Notice of a Motion, and the said Petition has not been ordered to be printed by the Committee, such Member may, after notice given, move that such Petition be printed. t 316. Subject to the above Regulations, Petitions against any Resolution or Bill imposing a tax or duty for the current service of the year may be received. 317. Petitions from persons of the Native race may be received without regard to the foregoing forms. 318. All Reports of the Public Petitions Committee on Petitions of Aboriginal Natives shall be translated into the Maori language, and printed as soon as possible after such Reports are brought up.

XXVllL—Public Bills. 319. Every Bill (unless sent down by the Governor) is ordered to be brought in upon Motion made, and Question put, " That leave be given to bring in such Bill." 320. Every Bill (except as before) is ordered to be prepared and brought in by a Member or Members. 321. There shall be a Joint Committee appointed at the commencement of each session, consisting of five Members of the Legislative Council and five Members of the House of Representatives, to which any Bill may be referred by the Speaker of either House during its progress. The Committee shall inquire into the character of the Bill so referred, as to whether it is a Public, Local, or Private Bill, and report their opinion thereon to both Houses. 322. All proceedings in the House upon any Bill so referred shall be suspended until the Committee shall have reported thereon. 323. Private Bills shall be understood to be Bills which are promoted for the private interests of individuals or companies, or which, by their provision, directly interfere with the private property of individuals; and the Private Bills Committee should give a liberal interpretation to the Standing Orders in favour of Bills of a public nature. 324. The House will not proceed upon any Petition, Motion, or Bill for granting any money, or for releasing or compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown, except in a Committee of the whole House. 325. Every Bill not prepared pursuant to the Order of Leave, or according to the Rules and Orders of the House, will be ordered to be withdrawn. 326. A Bill is presented by the Member, or one of the Members, ordered to prepare and

I bring in the same, and such Member is desirec by Mr. Speaker to bring it up. 327. The first reading of every Bill is proposed immediately after the same has been presented. 328. When any Bill shall be presented by a Member, in pursuance of an Order of this House, or shall be sent down by the Governor, or shall be brought from the Legislative Council, the Questions, " That this Bill be now read a first time," and "That this Bill be printed/'' are to be decided without amendment or debate. Second Beading. 329. A Bill having been read a first time, is ordered to be read a second time on a future day. 330. Orders of the Day for the second reading of Bills shall not be fixed for a more distant day than a month from the date of the first reading. 331. On the Order of the Day being read for the second reading of a Bill, Motion is made, and a Question put, "That the Bill be now read a second time." 332. Amendments may be moved to such Question by leaving out " now," and, at the end of the Question, adding " three months," "six months," or any other time; or that the Bill be rejected. 333. No other Amendment may be moved to such Question unless the same be strictly relevant to the Bill. 334. A Bill having been read a second time, is ordered to be committed to a Committee of the whole House, or, in certain cases, to a Select Committee. 335. When it is intended to refer a Bill to a Select Committee the second reading may be moved fro forma, and in such case there shall be no debate other than the speech of the Mover. 336. Any Bill for consolidating or codifying the law, or any branch thereof, may be referred, after it shall have been read a second time, to a Select Committee consisting of ten Members. 337. It shall be the duty of such Com-: mittee to see that, in respect of such provi- \ sions of the Bill as purport merely to re-enact and consolidate the existing law, the true intent, meaning, and effect thereof is not in any way changed, altered, or varied; but the Committee shall have power to suggest such amendments, alterations, or additions as it shall think fit; and, on reporting the Bill to the House, shall attach a copy thereof reprinted in such manner as to show in italics or other distinguishing type every new or altered provision. 338. When the Committee shall have re-1 ported that the Bill effects no change upon J the existing law, it may be read a third time i without having been first committed to a Committee of the whole House, and when the Committee shall have reported that any part or parts of the Bill contain any alteration of or addition to the existing law, then only such part or parts shall be considered in Committee of the Whole, unless the House

a - First reading.

1 7 First reading, , and printing, without debate.

j Bill ordered to be read a second; time.

Date of second reading.

Second reading.

Amendments to Questions for second reading.

Amendments to be relevant.

Bill committed.

Second reading of Rill referred to Select Committee.

Consolidation Bills Committee.

Duties of Consolidation Committee.

Report of Consolidation Committee on Bill.

H.—ll

Committee of the whole Houst on a Bill.

Instructions to Committee.

Committal of more than one Bill at one time.

Preamble postponed.

Amendments to clauses.

Supplementary Order Paper.

Clauses to stand part of the Bill.

Proceedings upon blanks.

Clauses postponed.

Preamble agreed to.

Proceedings in Committee not to be noticed until reported.

Report of progress.

Bill reported.

shall have ordered any further part or parts of the Bill, or the whole Bill, to be so considered. Committal. 339. On the Order of the Day being read e for going into Committee on a Bill, Mr. Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any Question, and the House shall thereupon resolve itself into such Committee : Provided that, when the second reading has been agreed to, pro forma, without debate, the Motion for committal shall be open to be debated as though it were a Motion for second reading. 340. An Instruction may be moved to the Committee on the Bill, but cannot conveniently be moved by way of Amendment. 341. Not more than one Bill shall be referred to a Committee of the whole House at one time if objection be taken to doing so, but such objection shall be at once determined by the House without amendment or debate. 342. In Committee on a Bill, the Preamble stands postponed without question put until after the clauses have been considered seriatim. 343. Any Amendment may be made to a clause, provided the same be relevant to the subject-matter of the Bill, or pursuant to any Instruction, and be otherwise in conformity with the Rules and Orders of the House; but if any Amendment shall not be within the Title of the Bill the Committee are to amend the Title accordingly, and report the same specially to the House. 344. It shall be competent to any Member proposing to introduce Amendments in a Bill while going through Committee to place such proposed Amendments on a Supplementary Order Paper. 345. A Question is put that each "Clause stand part of the Bill," or " as amended stand part of the Bill." 346. In going through a Bill no questions are to be put for the filling up of words already printed in italics, and commonly called " blanks," unless exception be taken thereto; and if no alterations have been made in the words so printed in italics the Bill is to be reported without Amendments, unless other Amendments have been made thereto. 347. Any clause may be postponed unless the same has already been considered and amended. 348. After every clause and schedule has been agreed to, and any clauses added which are relevant to the subject-matter of the Bill, or pursuant to any Instruction, the Preamble is considered, and, if necessary, amended ; and a Question is put. " That this be the Preamble of the Bill." ' 349. No notice may be taken of any proceedings in a Committee of the whole House, or a Select Committee on a Bill, until such Bill has been reported. 350. When all the clauses of a Bill have not been considered the Chairman is directed to report progress, and ask leave to sit again. 351. Theßill having been fully considered, the Chairman is directed to report the Bill

without Amendment, or report the Bill with the Amendments, to the House. A copy of the Bill as passed through the Committee is signed by the Chairman, aud by him presented to Mr. Speaker when the Bill is reported. 352. When Amendments have been made the same are to be received without Debate, and a time appointed for taking the same into consideration. 353. On a clause being offered in Committee, or on the consideration of Report, Mr. Speaker, or the Chairman, is to desire the Member to bring up the same, whereupon it is to be read a first time without Question put; but no clause is to be offered on consideration of Report without notice. 354. A clause containing any rates, penalties, or other blank, after having been read a second time, is also to be considered in Committee before it is made part of the Bill; and if any such clause be for increasing any burden upon the people, the Bill is recommitted, and the clause proposed in Committee on the Bill. 355. On consideration of the Bill as amended, the Bill may be ordered to be recommitted to a Committee of the whole House, or to a Select Committee. Third Beading. 356. A Bill being reported without Amendment is ordered to be read a third time at such time as may be appointed by the House. 357. The Order for the third reading of a Bill may be read and discharged, and the Bill ordered to be recommitted. 358. The Order of the Day being read for the third reading of a Bill, a Motion is made, and Question put, " That the Bill be now read a third time," to which Amendment may be moved as on the second reading. 359. No Amendments, not being merely verbal, shall be made to any Bill on the third reading. Passing and Title. 360. After the third reading, a Question is put, " That this Bill do pass," after which the Title of the Bill is agreed to, or amended and agreed to. There shall be no debate on the Question, " That the Bill do pass," nor on the Title of the Bill. 361. A proposed amendment to the Title of a Bill may be moved, but may not be debated, nor may the Bill itself be debated thereon. 362. The further proceedings on a third reading may be adjourned to a future day. Miscellaneous Bules as to Bills. 363. Bills of an urgent nature are sometimes passed with unusual expedition through their several stages. 364. The precise duration of every temporary law is to be expressed in a distinct clause at the end of the Bill. 365. When a Bill has passed the House Mr. Speaker signs the same, and the Clerk

S J Bill as amended to be considered. i

. Clauses offered in Committee, or on consideration , of Report.

. 4 clause with penalties, &c.

Bills recommitted.

■ Bill reported . without Amend- ' ment.

Order for third reading discharged.

Third reading.

Amendments on third reading.

Questions after third reading.

No debate on same.

No debate on amendment to Title.

Further proceedings on third reading adjourned.

Bills passed with unusual expedition.

Temporary law.

Mr. Speaker signs the Bill.

H.—ll

Speaker to certify on fair print,

And forward it to the Legislative Council.

Bill agreed to by other House without Amendments.

When Amendments made by either House.

Amendments of Legislative Council considered.

If Amendments agreed to, Message sent.

If Amendments disagreed with, a Conference may be requested.

Bill to be printed fair.

Bill authenticated by Clerk of Parliaments!

Bills presented to the Governor.

Royal assent

Amendments of the Governor to be considered.

forthwith certifies the date of its passing at the foot of the Bill. 366. Every Bill shall be printed fair immediately after it shall have been passed in the House in which it originated ; and the Speaker of the House in which the Bill shall have passed shall certify the passing thereof on such fair print, together with the day upon which the Bill did pass. 367. When all the proceedings on a Bill have been concluded the Clerk (or in some cases a Member or Members of the House) is ordered to carry the Bill to the Legislative Council, and desire its concurrence. 368. When a Bill sent from one House is agreed to by the other House without Amendments a Message is sent back acquainting the former House thereof, aud the Bill then remains in the House in which it was last passed for transmission to the Clerk of Parliaments. 369. When Amendments are proposed in either House in a Bill sent from the other the Bill is returned in the form in which it was sent, together with a Message stating such 'amendments. 370. Amendments made by the Council in Public Bills are ordered to be considered on a future day, unless the House shall order them to be considered forthwith. They are then agreed to, or agreed to with amendments, or disagreed to, or the further consideration thereof is put off for three or six months. 371. If the Amendments made by one House in a Bill sent by the other be agreed to a Message is sent acquainting the other House thereof, and the Bill, as amended, remains with the House in which it originated, for transmission to the Clerk of Parliaments. 372. If the Amendments made by one House in a Bill sent by the other are not agreed to the Bill must drop, unless the difference between the two Houses can be adjusted by means of Message or Conference If the originally-proposed Amendments, or a modification thereof, be rdtimately adopted, the Bill, as amended, remains in the House in which it originated, for transmission to the Clerk of Parliaments. 373. When such Bill shall have passed both Houses of the Legislature it shall be fair printed by the Government Printer, who shall furnish three fair prints thereof to the Clerk of Parliaments. 374. Such three fair prints of each Bill shall be duly authenticated by the Clerk of Parliaments. 375. The three fair prints of all Bills, except the Appropriation Bill, when passed, shall be presented to the Governor, for Her Majesty's assent, by the Clerk of Parliaments. 376. The Royal assent is signified to every Bill by His Excellency in person, or by Commission, the attendance of the House of Representatives in the Council Chamber having been desired for that purpose, or by Message. 377. Amendments proposed by the Governor in Bills presented to him for Her

Majesty's assent are sent to the House by Message, and a time is fixed for taking them into consideration, unless the House should prefer to consider them forthwith. 378. In case of amendments to Bills made upon a Message from the Governor, pursuant to the fifty-sixth clause of the Constitution Statute, after such Bills shall have passed the two Houses of Parliament, the Clerk of Parliaments shall indorse the same on the original Bill, and shall order three fair prints of the Bill, as amended, and shall authenticate the same before they are presented for Her Majesty's assent. 379. The Governor's Amendments, if agreed to by the House, are forwarded to the Legislative Council for its concurrence. 380. When the Governor shall have assented in the name of Her Majesty to any Bill one of the fair prints thereof shall be deposited by the Clerk of Parliaments with the Registrar of the Supreme Court, another shall be delivered to the Private Secretary of His Excellency the Governor for transmission to one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and the third shall be retained in the Record Office of the Parliament Houses.

XXIX. —Aeeangement op Oedeb Papee. 381. On days on which Private Members' business has precedence, Private Members' Bills standing for third reading shall take precedence of Bills for report, and Bills for report of Bills for Committee or second reading. 382. When Private Members' Public Bills become dropped Orders they are to be set down upon the Order Paper after the Orders set down for the next day, and shall be arranged as follows, viz. : (1) Bills for Committal or for further consideration in Committee ; (2) Second readings.

XXX.—Local Bills. 383. Local Bills are those which, not J being Private Bills,affect particular localities only. 384. No Local Bill shall be read a second ] time unless notice shall have been given of { the said Bill in the locality to which the 1 Bill refers ; such notice shall state explicitly the object which such Bill is intended to effect, and shall have been published once at least in each of three successive weeks before the second reading in a newspaper circulating in such locality. 385. At the time of the first publication < of such notice a copy of the Bill shall be i deposited in the Magistrate's Court of the J district, and shall be open to public in- J spection; and such Bill shall, at the ex- < piration of the prescribed period for adver- c rising, be forwarded to the Clerk of the

Governor's amendments to be indorsed on Bills.

Forwarded to the Legislative Council, if agreed to.

Copies where to be deposited.

Order of precedence on Private Members' days.

Position on Order Paper of dropped Orders.

Detinitiou'of Local Bill.

Notice stating objects of Bill to bo published in locality to wrhieh it relates.

Copy of Bill to be deposited in Magistrate's Court, and afterwards forwarded to Clerk of House or Council, with certificate.

H.—ll.

If more than one Magistrate'B Court in district.

Plans or surveys of land to be deposited.

Harbour Bills to be accompanied by financial statement and estimates.

Plans, &c, to be forwarded before introduction of Bill to Clerk of House of Representatives or Legislative Council,

Appointment of Local Bills Committee.

Power to confer with similar Committee of Legislative Council.

Second rending of Local Bills fixed when reported on.

Revival of Bills lapsed in preceding session.

House in which the Bill is to be introduced, indorsed with a certificate from the Stipendiary Magistrate, or Clerk of the Magistrate's Court, that such Bill was so deposited and remained open for public inspection for the prescribed time. > 386. If there be more Magistrates' Court- , houses than one situated within the district in which the Bill is to have operation, then the Bill is to be deposited at that one of such Courthouses which is nearest to the centre of such district. 387. When it is intended in such Bill to take power to deal with any lands, plans or surveys of such lands, on a scale of not less than two inches to a mile, and certified by an authorised surveyor, shall be deposited with the Bill. 388. In the case of Bills authorising the construction of harbour-works, or the raising of further loans for the completion of harbour-works previously authorised, such Bill shall be accompanied by a statement of the financial position of the promoters, an estimate of the cost of construction, and the estimated increased revenue to be derived from the proposed works, together with the plan's or surveys before mentioned. 389. Before the Bill is introduced into the Legislative Council or House of Representatives the before-mentioned plans or surveys and estimates shall be forwarded to the office of the Clerk of the House in which the Bill is to be initiated. 390. At the commencement of every Session a Local Bills Committee, consisting of Ten Members, shall be appointed, to whom all Local Bills shall stand referred after their first reading; the Committee to report whether the Standing Orders have been complied with and to suggest such Amendments as they may think proper, and to report when necessary upon the merits of the Bill. 391. The Committee on Local Bills shall have power to confer with any Committee appointed for a similar object by the other branch of the Legislature. 392. Local Bills reported on by the Local Bills Committee shall be set down for second reading on the following Thursday, on which day Orders relating to Private Members' Local Bills take precedence of all other business till disposed of. (See also No. 75.) 393. In the event of a Local Bill introduced in any session, and in regard to which the Local Bills Committee shall have reported that the Standing Orders have been complied with, failing to be finally dealt with during such session, then such Bill may be reintroduced during the next succeeding session, and the notices, advertisements, and deposits issued, published, and made in compliance with the Standing Orders relating to Local Bills prior to or during the first-mentioned session shall be good and effectual in respect of such Bill, as if they had been issued, published, and made immediately before or during such succeeding session: Provided, however, that if it be intended to reintroduce such Bill during the next succeeding session a notice of such intention shall be advertised 5—H. 11.

in not less than two issues of some newspaper published in the district within which such Bill is to have operation, or, if there be no such newspaper, then in some newspaper circulating therein. Schedule to 396. Notice is hereby given that it is the intention of the promoter to introduce in the forthcoming [or present] Session of Parliament the Bill, particulars whereof were advertised in the newspaper on the ■ day of , 1894. (Signature of promoter or agent to promoter.)

XXXl.—Accounts and Papers. 394. Accounts and Papers are ordered to be laid before the House. 395. Returns and correspondence are not to be obtained by putting questions to Ministers, asking for them. Such returns and correspondence, when desired by Members, shall be furnished only upon Motions to that effect being carried in the House. 396. Motions for -the production of despatches, or other correspondence, addressed to the Governor, or for any information to be furnished by His Excellency, are in form, " That an Address be presented to His Excellency, praying that he will be pleased to forward copy of" the despatch or other information sought. 397. Other papers are presented pursuant to statute, or by command of the Governor. 398. Accounts and other papers which are required to be laid before this House by any Act of Parliament, or by any Order of the House, may be deposited in the office of the Clerk of this House, and the same will be laid on the Table, and a list of such accounts and papers read by the Clerk. 399. Every account and paper is ordered to lie upon the Table, or is referred to a Committee. 400. Accounts and papers are ordered to be printed, whenever it is expedient. 401. At the commencement of each Session a Select Committee is appointed to assist Mr. Speaker in all matters which relate to the printing executed by Order of the House, and for the purpose of selecting and arranging for printing returns and papers presented in pursuance of Motions made by Members. 402. Speeches addressed to the House by His Excellency the Governor, and Bills introduced into the House specially affecting the Maoris, are translated and printed in the Maori tongue for the information of Her Majesty's subjects of that race. 403. Mr. Speaker will make a selection of such sessional papers as may appear to him of the greatest interest to the Native race generally, and have them translated and printed. 404. When the Government lays papers on the Table of the House such of them as may be considered of most interest to the Maoris should, unless inconvenient delay result, be accompanied by a translation in the Native language.

Accounts, &c, ordered.

Returns, &c, only obtainable on Motion agreed to by House.

Addresses for papers.

Papers presented by command.

Deposited with the Clerk of the House.

Accounts to lie upon the Table.

Ordered to be printed.

Printing Committee.

Speeches by Governor, and Bills specially affecting the Maoris, translated, and printed in Maori.

Certain sessional papers printed in Maori.

Papers to be accompanied by a Maori translation in certain cases.

H.—ll

Other papers are translated only by order of the House upon Motion.

Aids and supplies not to be altered by the Legislative Council.

Penalties, forfeitures, and fees.

Tolls and charges in Private Bills.

Motion for grant of money.

Grant of money.

Motions not to be presently entered on.

Address for money.

405. All other papers are translated into and printed in Maori only by Order of the House upon Motion.

XXXll.—Supply, and Ways and Means. 406. All aids and supplies, and aids to Her Majesty in Parliament, are the sole gift of the House of Representatives; 'and all Bills for the granting of any such aids and supplies are to begin with the House of Representatives; and it is the undoubted and sole right of the House of Representatives to direct, limit, and appoint in such Bills the ends, purposes, considerations, conditions, limitations, and qualifications of such grants; which may not be changed or altered by the Legislative Council. 407. By Standing Order of the 4th October, 1860, with respect to any Bill brought to this House from the Legislative Council, or returned by the Legislative Council to this House, with Amendments, whereby any pecuniary penalty, forfeiture, or fee shall be authorised, imposed, appropriated, regulated, varied, or extinguished, this House will not insist on its undoubted privileges in the following cases : — (1.) When the object of such pecuniary penalty or forfeiture is to secure the execution of the Act or the punishment or prevention of offences : (2.) Where such fees are imposed in respect of benefit taken or service rendered under the Act, and in order to the execution of the Act, and are not made payable into the Treasury or Exchequer, or in aid of the public revenue, and do not form the ground of public accounting by the parties receiving the same, either in respect of deficit or surplus : (3.) When such Bill shall be a Private Bill for a Local or Personal Act. 408. This House will not insist on its privileges with regard to any clauses in Private Bills sent down from the Legislative Council which refer to tolls and charges for services performed, and are not in the nature of a tax. 409. This House will not proceed upon any Motion for granting any money but what is recommended from the Crown. 410. This House will not proceed upon any Petition, Motion, or Bill for granting any money, or for releasing or compounding any sum of money owing to the Crown, but in a Committee of the whole House. 411. If any Motion he made in the House for any public aid or charge upon the people the consideration and debate thereof may not be presently entered upon, but is to be adjourned till such further day as the House shall think fit to appoint, and then it is to be referred to a Committee of the whole House before any Resolution or Vote of the House do pass therein. 412. The House will not proceed upon any Motion for an Address to the Governor,

praying that any money may be issued or that any expense may be incurred, except in a Committee of the whole House. 413. The House appoints the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means at the commencement of every . Session, so soon as. an Address has been agreed to in answer to the Governor's Speech. 414. Whenever the Committee of Supply stands as an Order of the Day for Tuesday, Mr. Speaker shall leave the Chair without putting any question, except on the first occasion of going into Committee of Supply after the Financial Statement. 415. The Order of the Day being read for the Committee of Supply, Accounts and Estimates are referred, and the House resolves itself into the Committee, and the Committee proceeds to consider the matters to them referred. 416. When a formal Motion for going into Committee of Supply is made, and an Amendis moved thereto, the Debate is confined tc the subject-matter of the Amendment (unless it be accepted as a vote of want of confidence) until it is disposed of; but, if the Minister make a speech in moving the House into Committee, that speech may immediately be commented on, although an amendment should intervene. 417. An Amendment on Supply cannot be moved to debate a matter on which notice of motion has been given by the same member. 418. When a Motion is made, in Committee of Supply, to remit or reduce any item of a Vote a Question shall be proposed from the Chair for omitting or reducing such item accordingly ; and Members shall speak to such Question only until it has been disposed of. 419. When several Motions are offered they shall be taken in the order in which the items to which they relate appear in the printed Estimates. 420. After a Question has been proposed from the Chair for omitting or reducing any item, no Motion shall be made or Debate allowed upon any preceding item. 421. Where it has been proposed to omit or reduce items in a Vote, the Question shall be afterwards put upon the original Vote, or upon the reduced Vote, as the case may be, without Amendment. 422. The Chairman acquaints the House that he was directed to move that the Committee may have leave to sit again ; and the House appoints a day accordingly. 423. The Chairman of Committees takes the Chair of the Committee of Supply and of the Committee of Ways and Means. In case of his absence, the Committee elect their Chairman. 424. In case any difference should arise in electing a Chairman, Mr. Speaker resumes the Chair, and the House appoints a Member to take the Chair of the Committee. 425. Any Report of Resolutions from the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means is ordered to be received on a future day except in relation to Imprest Supply and Ap-

Appointment of Committees of Supply, and Ways and Means.

No amendment on Supply on Tuesday.

Accounts and Estimates referred to Committee of Supply.

Debate on Amendment on Supply.

Amendment cannot be moved to debate notice of motion on Order Paper.

Questions for , omitting or reducing items.

Proposed in order of printed Estimates.

No motion to be made relating to any prior item.

Question put upon the original or reduced Tote.

Leave to sit again.

Chairman of Committee of Supply, aud Ways and Meacs.

If difference arises.

Reports from Committees of Supply, and Ways aud Means.

Exceptions.

H.—ll

Eesolutions of Committees agreed to.

Tax not to be increased on report.

Speaker to decide m cases not provided for.

Members not to engage in the management of Private Bills.

Members not to promote measures for fee or reward.

Strangers ordered to withdraw.

Members not to be absent for more than a week.

propriation Bills, when the Eeport may be ordered to be received and considered forthwith. 426. Resolutions of the Committees of Supply and Ways and Means reported to the House are read a first and second time, and agreed to ; or may be amended, postponed, recommitted, or disagreed to. 427. No Amendment whereby the charge upon the people will be increased may be made to any such Resolution, unless such charge so increased shall not exceed the charge already existing by virtue of any Act of Parliament.

XXXIII. —Miscellaneous. 428. In all cases not hereinbefore provided for, Mr. Speaker shall decide, taking for his guide the rules, forms, and usages of the House of Commons, so far as the same can be applied to the proceedings of this House. 429. It is contrary to the law and usage of Parliament that any Member of this House should be permitted to engage, either by himself or any partner, in the management of Private Bills before this or the other House of Parliament, for pecuniary reward. 430. It is contrary to the usage, and derogatory to the dignity of this House, that any of its Members should bring forward, promote, or advocate in this House any nroceeding or measure in which he may have acted or been concerned for or in consideration of any pecuniary fee or reward. 431. Strangers may, at any time, even during debate, be ordered to withdraw from the body of the House and the whole of the galleries, on a Motion without notice to that effect being put and carried; but no Amendment or Debate shall be allowed on that Question ; and in his own discretion Mr. Speaker may at any time order strangers to withdraw. 432. No Member shall absent himself from the service of the House for more than

one week at a time without leave; and any Member infringing this Order shall be held guilty of contempt. 433. Any Member who shall wilfully disobey any Order of the House, and any Member or other person who shall wilfully or vexatiously interrupt the orderly conduct of the business of the House, shall be held guilty of contempt. 434. Any Member adjudged by the House for any of the above-mentioned causes guilty of contempt shall be fined in a penalty, at the discretion of the House, not exceeding ,£5O, and in default of immediate payment shall be committed by the warrant of Mr. Speaker to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms, or such other person or persons as Mr. Speaker shall appoint, for a period not exceeding fourteen days; and it shall be lawful for the said Serjeant-at-Arms, or such other person or persons, to detain the said Member in his custody for the period directed by the House, unless sooner discharged by Order of the House, or unless the amount of fine imposed shall be sooner paid. 435. All fines are applied to the Library Fund. 436. Any Standing Order or Orders of the House may be suspended on Motion made with or without notice. Provided that notice extending over two clear days, and specifying the hour at which such Motion will be made, shall always be given when practicable ; and that a Motion to suspend without notice shall not be entertained unless there be forty Members present at the time such Motion is made ; and provided further that when such suspension is to extend over more than one sitting or in relation to more than one specified matter the presence of forty Members shall in all cases be necessary. 437. No proposal for altering or annulling any Standing Order or adopting any new Standing Order shall be entertained unless when notice extending over at least four sitting-days shall have been given; and if a division be demanded it shall be necessary that such proposal shall be voted for by a number equal to an absolute majority of the whole number of Members of the House.

Not to disobey orders of the House, or interrupt its proceedings.

Penalties for contempt.

Fines applied to Library Fund. Standing Orders suspended.

Alteration, annulling, or adoption of Standing Orders.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,450 copies), ,£2O 12s.

Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.

Price, 9d.J

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Bibliographic details

STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, H-11

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20,048

STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, H-11

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STANDING ORDERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, H-11

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)

To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.