WILD SCENES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 25 November 1927, Page 7

WILD SCENES

UPROAR IN COMMONS FOUR LABOURITES SUSPENDED OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE. London, November 24. The House of Commons, in committee. dealing with the Insurance Bill, resumed the discussion on numerous Labour amendments to the third clause. Just before eleven o’clock. Sir A. D. Steel-Maitland proposed the closure, causing Mr Wheatley and Mr Kirkwood to jump to their feet, shouting “No I” Mr Maxton (Labour. Bristol) donning a borrowed Trilby hat, asked if amendments handed in manuscript would not be debated. The Rt. Hon. Hope (Chairman of Committees.) answered “Yes.” Mr Maxton: Then it is damned unfair. The closure was then carried by 238 to 145. When the sitting was resumed, Mr Hope recalled Mr Maxton's expression. and asked for a withdrawal. Mr Maxton refused, saying. “Mr Hope’s answer was offensive to mvself and degrading to this House.” When Mr Hope rose again he was greeted with cries of “Sit down I” Mr Kirkwood crying “You won’t lie heard to-night; put what Mr Maxton said in your pipe and smoke it.’’ Mr Hope then sent for the Speaker, who immediately named Mr Maxton, despite Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s protest that it was impossible for him (the Speaker) to be in possession of what had taken place. The Speaker: Mv duty is clear: I am bound to put the motion without amendment. On Mr Baldwin’s motion. Mr Maxton’s suspension was carried bv 202 to 131.

SPEAKER RECALLED. When Mr Hope resumed the chair the Labourites again started to shout “Sit down 1” Mr Tom Shaw (Lab., Preston) moved to report progress on the ground that the Labour indignation would prevent reasonable discussion. Mr G. Buchanan (Lab.. Gorbals), supporting, said the chairman’s ruling was both contemptible and unmanly. whereupon the Speaker was recalled and named Mr Buchanan, after a wordy scene, in which the Labourites attempted to shout down Mr Hope, rising from their seats, shaking their fists and gesticulating wildly. Mr R. C. Wallhead (Lab.. Merthyr) shouted; “It’s a damned outrage I” Miss Ellen Wilkinson (Lao.. Middlesborough) cried. “You coward. Mr Hope!” several Labourites echoing “Coward! Coward!” When Mr Baldwin moved that Mr Buchanan be suspended, the motion was greeted with cries of “You wil have to send us all out to-nighi.” The motion was carried by 276 votes to 106. Mr Buchaniw, walked out even before the figures were called. Mr Wallhead evidently anxious to join his colleagues, shouted “Damned outrage!” but the Speaker disregarded him. As no attention was paid. Mr Wallhead jumped to his feet, shouting nt Mr Hope, “Cad. damned cad!” Mr Hope, however, remained seated, not taking auv notice, until deris : ”vo Conservative laughter caused Mr Wallhead to sit down. The motion to report progress was defeated’ by 257 to 144. THE ROLE OF MARTYR. Mr Wallhead, meanwhile recovered his spirits and accused Mr Hope of giving a ruling when the Speaker ■was in the House adding: “Your ruling is a damned disgrace!” The rest of the sentence was drowned in disorder. Mr Hope asked: Does the memlier persist in the expression ? Mr Wallhead: Yes. I do. The Speaker was recalled, and Mr Wallhead’s suspension was carried by 272 to 87. Mr J. Sullivan (Lab., Bothwell) then took up the role of martyr He rose to raise a point of order. Mr Hope: What is the point? Mr Sullivan: That you are damned unfair. Before anything definite happened Mr Nei] McLean (Lab., Govan) noisily intervened and ‘refused to sit down until he was named and suspended. Mr Hope automatically vacated the chair. Captain Fitzrov replacing him. On Miss Ellen Wilkinson rising to move an amendment a number of Conservatives left the Chamber. After that tempers calmed’ and many amendments were wiped off by the rapidly thinning House.—(A.P.A. and “Sun” cable.)