TEMPERS FRAYED

Chronicle (Levin), 15 November 1946, Page 5

TEMPERS FRAYED

mu QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENT Received Thursdav, 7.40 p.m. BKlSBAXE, Nov. 14. Challenges to iiglit were liurled aeross the House in a honted scene in Parliament today, when tlie Meinber for Bulidaberg, Mr. Barnes, was sus pended for a fort night. Tlie action was taken against. hiiu for refusing to apologise for his pai'l in tlie iiicuieul in the dining room on Tuesdav. Mr. Barnes alleges lio was liit on tlie ehin by the Minister oi' Health and 1 lorne Affairs, Mr. Foley, wlio claiins he acted in self defence. Today Mr. Speaker gave Mr. Barne.three opportunities to apologise and then the motion for his suspension was earried. During the counting oi t ln votcs Ml1. Barnes'kept shouting: "Yoi are a lot of curs" and tlie House was ii an uproar as Government niembers hui ly retorted. A* cable message received earlie. etated tliat, following incideiils in tln Queensland Parliament, the Ministe. of Health and liome AITairs (Mr Foley) rose when the House resuniei. and .asked leave to make a stateineut lle said that, when he was niaking n statement on Tuesdav regarding his innocenee in conneciioii with tlie reeeiu tobacco seizure by the Customs, he wiu under great emotional strain, ns tlu whole of his political future and pri vate life were at stake. Mr. F. .1 Barnes, who was known as tlie " Bunda berg Bombshell," interjected severai tiines, mentioning rackets and referring. as Mr. Foley thought, in disparngim. tenns to Mr. Foley 's wife. As . Ihe whole House resented the interruption and as Mr. Foley was detenniiied not to have an altercatioi. with Mr. Barnes. he left tlie Chamber and went to ihe dining room to have a cup of tea. "Mr. Barnes followed me, " con tinued Mr. Foley, "and as he came to wards me, he leered at me in a lnosi insultiug nianner und mentionei ' racket ' again. 1 told hini whai 1 thought of his conduct. lle said agaii. that I couldu 't take it, and was litlm, his left hand in a nianner ' ' Mr. Barnes: Filthy lies! I rise to : poiut of order. A Government meinber: Sit down you mug! Mr. Foley added that he instautl. eountered wliat he thought was an in tended blow and saw .Mr. Barnes reel baek and then run behind a table. Ytr. Foley ofl'ered liis sincere ajiolo gies to the House. Prior to Mr. Foley 's statement. Mr, Barnes accused Mr. Foley oi' slriking him.