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Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1614, 4 December 1912, Page 5

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: 6 ■ HOW THEY DO IT IN AUSTRALIA. TRALIA. Scene: Federal Parliament House, Melbourne. Time: 12.30 p.m., Friday, November 22. Tho deputy-leader of the Opposition i£ making his maiden speech on the Referendum Hills. Mr. Joseph Cook (thundering with his voice against the walls and his fists upon the table): This is an insult to the working men of Australia. The real aim of tho Government is to make the Constitution suit the Labour party. Listen to what the Hobart Conference said. (He reads.) It is clear tho party is in favour, of unification. • Mr'. Higgs: That is a lie. That is a wicked lie. That is a lie. (He lifts his voice.) That is a LIE. Mr. Cook: I'do say. so. All I have read shows it. (Uproar.) Mr. Higgs: It is a wicked LIE. It is' wilfully UNTRUE. (Great uproar.) Mr. Speaker: Order! Or-der! . The hon. member must withdraw.

Mr. Higgs: I decline to withdraw. (Sensation, followed by painful silence.) (A tail, black-coated figure rises from the Ministerial corner and makes for the door. It ;is Mr. Higgs. Great sensation, during which lie is recalled peremptorily by Mr. Speaker. He resumeis his seat.) Mr. Higgs: I will stick to it. It is not the first time he has slandered this party. Mr. Speaker:. I name the. honourable member .for Capricornia. (Uproar. • Hurried message to bring in the Prime Minister: Gatherings round the member for Capricornia< Mr. Higgs again declines to withdraw. Super-sensa-tion.) The Prime Minister: Order must be maintained in this honourable House. Mr. Higgs: .He slandered the party. It was a piece of electioneering in the House. ■ ~ Mr. Cook: There is nothing further from my mind than to be offensive to anyone. (Laughter.) Mr. Higgs: You know the Labour Conference turned down tho unification proposal. , (TT Mr. Cook: For the present, yes. (Upr°The House divided. Ministerialists protested. The motion for Mr. Higgs's suspension was carried by 38 to 14. Mr. Matthews: It is red-hot for a man to be put out for saying what is true. Colonel Eyrie: I am going to make the same statement myself.. Mr. Roberts: If you make it you will be a liar, too. . . , , Colonel Ryrie: I will have you put out if you say so. : . Mr. Speaker made a final appeal to Mr. Higgs to withdraw. ■Mr. Higgs: If Mr. Cook recalls what he said. , , Mr. Speaker: Ton must withdraw. _ Mr. Higgs: I wish you good morning. (Ho leaves without the aid of tho Sergeant.)— Sydney "Sun,"