SCENE IN THE COMMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1927, Page 2

SCENE IN THE COMMONS

HOUSE ADJOURNED AAIID UPROAR. /Australian & N.Z. Cable. Association.) LONDON, Nov. IG. AA'lien the House resumed after the adjournment, the benches were packed. Air Baldwin was present. The Speaker called on Sir P. Cunliffe Lister, who rose instantly. 'iTie Labourites began a chorus demanding Baldwin. In an interval of the babel, Air Thomas asked the Speaker if there was any precedent for the Prime Alinister refusing to reply on a vote cf censure, moved by the 1-eailer of the Opposition. The Speaker: That is not a point of order. Mr Thomas: It may not he strictly so, but the matter affects the whole House. I do not desire to attack Sir P. Cunliffe Lister, but the latter, last year at your own request, did not take part in the coal debates. It was stated at the time that this was due to Sir P. Cunliffe Lister’s interests in coni mines.

’Hie Speaker again called on Sir P. Cunliffe Lister, and the babel again broke out, the Labourites chorusing “Wo want Baldwin I” several times. Sir P. Cunliffe Lister tried to speak, hut there was nßvnys one intorjcctor shouting amid the disorder, “We want the organ grinder, not the monkey.”

The Speaker, after trying vainly to obtain order, declared: “Under my powers, I adjourn this House.” The announcement was recehod with jeers and catcalls, the Labourites all standing in their places. Members of the- Cabinet were the first to leave and the Labourites hissed Mr Baldwin as ho left, some of them shouting “Coward!”

Ministerialists, wfio were then walking out, looked back, and shouted heatedly, “Disgraceful!” A free fight seemed imminent, fill the Ministerialists shouted, “Let's leave them to it,” after which the majority of the Ministerialists slowly filed out. Only a number of Labourites were loft, hut the atmosplioic of heat gave way to liveliness, when a Labourite went through the form of putting and declaring a vote of censure carried.

One Ministerialist went up to a Labourite on the floor, gesticulating and raising his arms, blit other members, fearing they would come to blows, separated the couple. This provoked shouts of “Come out into the corridors.” After this the House cleared rapiillv. " PRESS AND LOBBY COMMENT. LONDON, Nov. 17. The opinions of the Lobby and Press arc divided as to whether Mr Baldwin should have participated in Hie debate on Mr MacDonald’s censure motion over the state of the coal indusrty. The Daily Telegraph says it- would he an intolerable burden it the Prime Minister were expected to take the lead in replying to a vote of censure on any department while the Minister of that Department sat silent. The Daily Express says Mr Baldwin should have met the attack be because it was a vote of censure on the Government and the problem is a pressing one. The Daily Chronicle says: Surely the least Mr Baldwin could have done was to rise immediately after Mr MacDonald and show the House lie was alive to the tragedy of his fellowcountrymen. The Daily Herald’s political correspondent declares the Opposition I<fore the debate learned that the Prime Minister had no intention of speaking. The Morning Post on the contrary says though no arangement was made for the Prime Minister’s intervention. Mr Baldwin was 'q-uite preared to speak if it was the general desire he should do so. It was in pursuance of the ordinary course that Sir P. Cunliffe Lister as Minister responsible, rose to reply. The correspondent adds with reference to the remark by Mr Thomas that Sir J» Cunliffe Lister had dis-

posed of all his coal mining interests, there is every reason to believe that Mr Macdonald was made aware of this fact, hut presumably had not passed on the information to Mr Thomas,