A DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 548, 18 October 1902, Page 2

A DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

NATIONALISTS ASSAIL MR BALFuUR. A SCENE OF UNEQUALLED CONFUSION. AN IRISH MEMBER SUSPENDED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Oct. 17. When Parliament opened the Nationalists hissed Mr Balfour’s and Mr Wyndbain’s first appearance. The Speaker rebuked the unprecedented behavior. Mr Balfour moved that the Government business take precedence, indicating that tho Education Bill should receive main attention, and that they should then tuko the London Water Supply Bill, expiring laws for continuanco of sugar bounties, completion of new procedure rules, Indian budget, and acceptance of King’s gift- of Osborne House to the nation. The Irish members clamored for a day for discussion of tho operation of tho Crimes Act, Messrs Ilarcourt and Motley supporting them. Mr Bnliuur promised that ho would set asido a day if the Opposition moved a vote of censure.

John O’Donnell rose in n threatening manner.

Mr Balfour thereupon moved the closure, and tho Nationalists passionately shouted, “Gag tho coward.” O’Donnell, disregarding the Speaker’s admonitions, commenced a spurious hutanguo, the Nationalists encouraging him with a steady, rhymtic chorus of applause, Irowning both O'Donnell’s and the Speaker’s voices. O’Donnell, working himself himself into a state of uucontrollablo rage, shouted atthe top of his voice, and continued waving his arms and shaking his lists at Mr Balfour.

Presently O’Donnell hastily shifted his Mace nearer to and forced Balfour to hear his denunciation of cowardice, in first so curing his imprisonment on recent charges if incitement or intimidation and unlaw till assembly, and then gagging him. Owing to the clamour kept up by the Nationalists and the crowding in of inem iicrs, very few words could he hoard. Mr Balfour at this stage rose and addressed the Speaker, apparently moving O’Donnell’s suspension. O’Donnell, evading Mr William Redmond's efforts to hold him by the coat, rushed across the House, and stood opposite to Mr Balfour, botwoon tho Treasury Bench and tile table, at tho same time almost shrieking with excitement, and wildly throwing his arms about. Shaking his clenched fists close to Mr Balfour’s face, O’Donuell poured out a flood of incoherent abuse, accusing Mr Balfour of being Wyudham's accomplice.

Mr Balfour remained calm throughout,, and .smiling, he unflinchingly lien I forward.

Messrs l-lanlxiiry, Long, and Ritchie moved quietly up near Mr Balfour, in case of emergency, .since the House feared violence. 'flic scene was one of almost unequalled confusion, and lasted for a period of three minutes.

O’Donell shouted himself dumb, und finally, shaking his fist close in Mr Balfour’s face, returned to his seat.

The motion for his suspension was carried by 311 to 51.

Mr Redmond was shouting “ Send for the Horse Guards !” When the .Speaker directed O’Donnell to withdraw, it was found that he had not returned after the division. The resolution that Government business take precedence was carried by 2(12 to 115. „