BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1923, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PARTICULARS OF DEBATE. A WILD SCENE. LONDON, 'April 12. In the House of Commons the Leader of the Labour Party, Air Ramsay .MacDonald asked the Speaker’s ruling on the contention that the Government’s latest proposal to go into committee of supply was the same motion as that on which the House gave its definite decision last night.

The Speaker disagreed with the contention that the motion was a repetition, holding that the word the motion “that the Speaker do now leave the chair” made the motion plv to that particular day, and did prevent a similar motion at a later day.

Mr S. Baldwin. Chancellor of the Exchequer, then moved: “That the House to-morrow resolve itself into committee of supply.” Ho said that what had really happened was that the Government had Leon taught napping. IjrfSst night’s decision, he declared, was no proof that the Government had lost the confidence of the House. Mr Ramsay MncDonald said that thgGovernment had last night suffered an unexampled defeat. It was defeated because several of the Government -supporters had voted against it. Air H. B. Lees Smith (Labour Alembojr' for Keiglilv) said that the Labour Party, in the interests of the ex-service men, was not- pressing its tactical advantages. Sir Frederick Banbury (Conservative Member for the City of London), on rising, apparently on a point of order, was greeted with a prolonged angry roar from the Labour benches, and he then resumed his seat amidst ironical laughter. /■ Air Lees Smith claimed that the Labour members were behaving with great restraint. There were jeering remarks from the Conservatives which provoked fierce retorts from the Labourites. After Air l.nnshnry had insisted that the Government should give satisfactory assurance regarding the ex-service-men , before the House consented to go into committee of supply again, several Labourites rose to continue the debate. Then Air S. Baldwin moved the closure, and this was the signal for a tumultuous Labour ilemmisti a atinn cries of “Adjourn!” being followWs*p-<. by the singing of “The Red Flag”’

The Speaker appealed to them to follow the principles of their leader, whereupon the Labourites renewed the uproar, an 1 the Speaker declared the motion carried.

Air Thorne asked tile Speaker to adjourn the sitting for a time, in view of the’excitement, hut the Speaker replied that it. would be a bad precedent to adjourn because of disorder. Air Thorne: “You cannot get on with the business." Mr Pretty inn n then rose and opened the next business. The Labourites began singing, with mechanical repot i.tions of “Sit down!” “Speak up!” For Three minutes Air Prettyniau stood without being heard. Air ltamsav AfacDunald for the moment stilled the uproar, hut it broke

out again. Mr Tin rue shouted to the Speaker: “You may as well adjourn!” There were other Labourites .shouting across the chamber: “Von dirty dogs!" The Speaker rise and amidst turmoil he suspended the sitting for one hour this announcement being received with exultant Labour cries. As the members were quitting the Chamber an exciting incident occurred. A group of Labourites suddenly dashed across the chamber near the Speaker's chair, and confronted a knot of Ministerialists, including Air OrmsbyGore. Suddenly a list stiot out jdese to Air Onnshy-Gore’s head, and he. put up his arms to ward off the blow. Mr Ramsay AfacDouald and Mr Baldwin endeavoured to intervene and a scuffle followed in the lobbies, whence angry cries were heard, but the sequel was lost to the press galerv. THE HOUSE RESUMES." LONDON. April 11. When the House of Commons resumed at seven o’clock the House was crowded. The Speaker immediately ro-e and said:—“ln view of the grave T disorders in the House hv virtue of my powers under the Standing Orders I adjourn the House.” Without the question being put, the Speaker left the chair. The Alemhers then left the Chamber without further disorder.