SCENE IN COMMONS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 561, 16 July 1909, Page 5

SCENE IN COMMONS.

. » THE LIE DIRECT. REFLECTION ON MEMBER'S SOBRIETY. . ACCUSER WITHDRAWS. (By Tolograph.-l'rcss Asaociatlon.-Copyrlßht.). (Reo. July 15, 0.15 p.m.) London, July 15. A sceno occurred in committee of the House of Commons during the debate on the ' Finance Bill. Tho Labour members had < been interrupting Mr. Balfour in his protest ' against tho compulsory registration of land ' transfers. They adopted tho same tactics ( towards Mr. E. G. Protyman (Unionist mom- ' ber for Chelmsford division of Esses), who was interrupted by Mr. Will Thome, Labour member for South-West Ham.' i "As sobor as You.* The Earl of Winterton (a young Irish Peer who since 1904 haa represented Horsham in tho Unionist interest) remarked that the member for South-West Ham was in an unfit stato to participate in tho debate Mr. Thome rcpljed: 1 am as sober as you, my dear friend. The' Chairman (Mr. Alfred Emroott)- ordered Earl Winterton to withdraw his remark. . Earl Winterton said: My sinccro opinion is that tho member is unfit, but, as you rule otherwise, I withdraw; Tho Chairman: I mnst ask the Labour members not to keep interrupting. At tho instance of Mr. Eoir Hardio (Laboun member for Morthyr Tydvil), the Chairman asked Earl Winterton to make a more formal withdrawal of tho expressions ho had used. The Chairman said Wbad not heard Earl Winterton say ho still thought Mr. Thome was unfit, but had understood him to withdraw his remarks. Earl • Winterton: No other meaning could attach to my words. Mr. Thorno: If ho is not prepared to withdraw, I will call him a liar. (Uproar.) The Chairman: Ho has withdrawn everything. . , Mr. Thorno: He is an absolute liar. I am as sober as any- man in. tho House. ■?•'• Suspended for tho Sitting, Tho Chairman asked for the withdrawal of tho unparliamentary expression used by Mr. Thome, Mr. Thorno: I will'do nothing of the kind. t The Chairman then suspended Mr. Thome for tho rest of tho sitting". Mr. Thorno, on quitting the House, addressing Earl Winterton, said: Now, you walk out and see whether you are as sober as I am. Later on Mr. Keir Hardio assured tho Chairman that Mr. Thorrto had not tasted liquor the whole day. Mr. Thorrte had used • the words objected to under dstreme 'provocation, Mr. Koir Hardio appealed to the , Chairman to recall Mr. Thorno's suspension. Earl Winterton, amid ohcers, said:' In ' -view of Mr. Keir Hardie's stntoment, I am i prepared to apologise to Mr. thorno. i Tho Chairman stated that, under tho rules | of the House, he was unablo to'rescind the I suspension.