POLITICAL BEAR GARDEN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1237, 20 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL BEAR GARDEN.

A PREVIOUS SCENE.

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT.

POLICE EJECT SEVEN IEIBERS AFTER FREE FIGHT.

SERGEAffT-AT-ARIS DEFIED:

By Telegraph—Press Association-Oopyriffht. (Rec. September li), 8.10 p.m.) Sydney, September 19. Extraordinary scenes of disorder took place in the Legislative Assembly thie afternoon and evening. Mr. David Storey, an Independent Liberal, called the attention of the Premier, Mr. M'Gowen, to a report in the newspapers that tho Speaker, Mr. Willis, in addressing a meeting of his constituents, had called tho members of the Opposition "a band of ruffians." Mr. Storey asked Mr. M'Gowen to ascertain whether such a statement had been made, and if so, to protect the honour of members. Ruled Out of Order. The Speaker ruled the question out of order, on the ground that ho could not take cognisance of what appeared in the press. The members of tho Opposition persisted, but both tho Speaker and the Premier declined to answer their questions. Mr. Cohen rose repeatedly with a query, and the Speaker repeatedly cautioned him. Eventually the Speaker ordered the Sergeaut-at-Arms to remove Mr. Cohen. Unprecedented Uproar. The Opposition members thereupon surrounded Mr. Cohen, and refused to allow him to retire. They resisted the Sergeaut-at-Arms and tho messengers who had como to his assistance, and a state of unprecedented uproar continued for several minutes. The Speaker then , vacated the chair, and left the Chamber. As Mr. Willis went out, som* Opposition members mounted tho dais and flung his papers after him. CONSTABLES CALLED IN. VIOLENT STRUGGLE WITH MEMBERS. INTENSE EXCITEMENT. (Eec. September 19, lO.'lO p.m.) Sydney, September 19. After an adjournment of half an hour, the House reassembled. The Speaker, on reading the Standing Oraers, was interrupted by Mr; Wood. He at once ordered the Sorgeant-at-Arms and tho messengers to remove Mr. Wood, but Mr. Wood resisted, and several other Opposition members assisted in preventing his ejectment.

During the melee, books and papers were hurled towards the Speaker. Suddenly three or four policemen appeared on the scene, and after a violent struggle removed Mr. Wood.

Ed to order by the Chair, and told that he was prevaricating.

Opposition Get Angry. Once before Mr. Willis had charged the leader of the Opposition with a similar oftence, and declined to allow him to protest. On that occasion tho matter was allowed to pass. This time Opposition members got angry. Mr. Cohen and Dr. Arthur rose together and declared: "I move that tho words be taken down." They were ordered to take their seate. Mr. Wado was again called. He moved, "That tho words bo taken down." Tho Speaker consulted. "May's Parliamentary Practice," and intimated that as tho last precedent foi- such a motion quoted there occurred in the eighteenth century, he would not receive tho motion. The Government cheered. Mr. Wade later on, by medium of a qnestion, urged the Government to take somo action which would prove the truth of the Speaker's charge against him. or euable him to vindicate his position in tho House, but the Premier declined by <iedaring that tho matter of the rights and privileges of members was in tho li.inae (if the Speaker, , and that he would into,*, fere only if requested by the Speaker to do so. ' Black Marks. Scenes in tho House have become eo common that apparently Mr. Willis has found some difficulty in keeping couat of them. To remind himself, he has begun to keep a roll of those whom be regards as delinquents. On 'the corner of his blotting pad he places a card. When a member does something which displeases him (and several seem to have a peculiar facility for putting his pleasure on edge), he enters the name on the card, and black murks follow as the situation in his judgment requires. Mr. Wado was "enrolled" on September 7. While ho was spe-akiug under cover of privilege, Mr. l'idden roso to a point of order, winch was decided in Mr. Wade's favour. That gentleman then said he was astonished that n Minister should endeavour to close the mouth of an lion, member. He was made to withdraw. He withdrew. Apparently everyone was satisfied but the Speaker. "The lion, member will apologise," he said. And to save himself the ignominy of ejection, Mr. Wade apologised. Mr. Wood's name was also entered up, and two black marks wero put against him. His indignation at the treatment accorded his leader had induced him to utter a persistent protest, to do which he had to remain on his feet after ho had twice been called to order. A Specimen Wrangle The following is an extract from the report of tho proceedings on September 7:— Mr. Wade: I am astonished that the hon. member should endeavour to close the mouth of a hon. member. (Hear, hear.) , ' • Mr. Edden protested. The Speaker: Order. I announced that the hon. member was perfectly in order. Mr. Wade: And having heard that. I feel prompted* to make a brief comment. Tho Speaker: Tho hon. member ihust withdraw. ' (Opposition cries of dissent'.) Mr. Wade: I , withdraw tho word astonished.

In quick succession the Speaker ordered the removal'of Messrs. Cohen, Fitzpatrick; Price, Perry, Moxham, and Levy. Mr. Perry (an ex-member) made a rush to the table, and seized a water-bottle. The police, however, hustled'him out. The other members went out quietly. There was intense excitement while tho ejections were proceeding.

SPECTATORS IN THE GALLERY. (Rec. September 20, 0.35 a.m.) ' Sydney, September 19. After the expulsions, the Assembly settled down to business, and proceedings became peaceful again. While the scenes were in progress the crowd in the galleries dapped and cheered vociferously.

MR. WADE AND THE SPEAKER,

A TENSE HALF-HOUB. Another of those tense half-honrs which have boen common in the Legislative Assembly sinco the session began passed'on September 7 (says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). The Speaker and the leader of the Opposition were tho principals on the stage, and tho scene hinged on the statements made by tho Speaker regarding Mr. Wade in newspaper interviews, and the failure' of the Speaker or tho Government to take any action against him of the kind foreshadowed in. the interview. The leader of the Opposition claimed privilege to make a statement and conclude with a motion, but was ordered to liis seat after he had spoken a few minutes. He persisted, and in another way was, successful in expressing some of his feeling. In order to do this, however, he had to give an assurance to the House that the matter was one which had occurred during that sitting, and in stating his case he necessarily reverted to the interview, and ultimately was call-

Tho Speaker: And apologise to tho House.

Mr. Wade: I apologise for saying I am astonished—in. deforenco to your request. Tho 'Speaker: Tho hon. Leader of tho Opposition is defying the Chair. Mr. Wade: 1. apologised to the House, nnd Ido it again—out' of respect to your special wish.

Tho Speaker: He must do it, not out of respect for me, but to tho House.

Mr. Wade; Well, I apologise to tho House.

After further altercation Mr. Wado said: "May I put this l>efore you? You said just now that you have no cognisance of the press unless an hon. member can vouch for the statement. I am proceeding to vouch for it.

The Speaker: The hon. member, I fear, is prevaricating. (Disorder and loud cries of dissent'.)

Mr .Cohen (excitedly) and Dr. Arthur, in chorus: I move those words be taken down. (Opposition cheers.) Tho Speaker: Order! (More protests from the Opposition.) He went on to state that the question of urgency must be ono that' had recently occurred. Anything that occurred several days ago was not a matter of privilege. If it had oc-. curred previous to that day, the hon. member would have moved the same day. Mr. Cohen: I move that the words The Speaker: Order! (Disorder.) Mr. Cohen (still excitedly): I move according to tho Standing Orders The Speaker: Order. Tho hon. member for Gordon!

Mr. Wade: I movo your words accusing me of. prevarication, bo taken down. (Loud Opposition cheers.) Mr. Cohen: 1 will show you the authority df tho House of Commons for it For a few moments there was silence, whilst tho Speaker apparently consulted some authority. Then, turning to Mr Wade, ho said: Such a circumstance has not occurred, as far as I am able to find out from reference, since the 18th century. I declare the questiou out of order, as applied to the Speaker. Mr. Wade: I have- an authority here. Hie Speaker: It is obsolete, i have ruled. The lion, member his rights and privileges

Mr. Fitzpatrick: I don't think any of us nave got any.