UPROAR IN THE COMMONS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1929, Page 7

UPROAR IN THE COMMONS

w CHEAP INSULTS.

LONDON, July 26

A very undignified debate in the House of Commons followed as the result of Conservative criticism of the Government’s action; in abolishing the appointed guardians in West Ham, Chester-lc-Strect, and Bedwelltv. The elected boards had ibeen abolished by the previous Alinister o£ Health because of their extravagance.

“Experience,” said Air Neville Chamberlain, “has shown how impossible it is for a body of popularly elected persons to' undertake with any propriety the distribution of outdoor relief to their constituents.”

Socialists scoffed and jeered, and Air Chamberlain then informed - them that lie was only quoting the words of a present Socialist Minister, Air Sidney Webb (now Lord Passfield), in a recent book. The fact that they had been thus made to look foolish rabided in the minds of the Government supporters, and they proceeded to a series of interruptions of the style known in the House as “Jack Jonesism.”

Indeed, it was Air Jack Jones (Soc., Silvertown) who led them with cries of “Alurderers,” “He is not speaking the truth,” and eventually “Order be damned,” until the Speaker warned him that unless he ceased to interrupt lie would be ordered to leave the House. The debate continued to be stormy throughout the evening, and Lady As tor (C.j. Plymouth), who accused the original West Ham Guardians of corruption was the centre of several rows.

ATiss Susan Lawrence (Soc., East Ham N.) demanded Specific allegations. These Lady Astor could not give, but declared' that Mr Neville Chamberlain would not have abolished the guardians if they had not •been corrupt. Here there was a shout of “Go back to New York!” Mr Jack Jones said that probably Lady Aster talked about corruption because she came from America, where they knew something about it. “I AAI NOT DRUNK.” Lady Astor then made a remark which was inaudible in the press gallery, bub which caused Air Jones to shout: “I am not drunk. When you use that word I tell you you are a dirty liar.” The Deputy Speaker (Air Dunn ion): The lion, member must not use language of that kind. . Air Jones: I have had too many of the same sort of insults from this lady. She talks under her breath.

Lady Astor: I did not say it. Several Socialist members: Yes, you did. The Deputy-Speaker then sternly ordered Lady Astor to refrain from further interruptions. Air Jones: It is quite a common thing lor the noble lady under her breath to talk about drunkenness. I v ill tell her in her teeth I am a better man drunk than she is sober. This remark, of course, did not •cool the atmosphere and Lady Astor’s supporters retorted by demanding from Air Jones a withdrawal of the phrase “dirty liar.”

“QUITE BIBLICAL.” , “I withdraw the remark,” conceded Air Jones, “although it is quite biblical.,” Sir Kingsley AVood (C., Woolwich W.), who afterwards spoke, was so' repeatedly interrupted by Air Will Thorne ((Socialist, Plaistow) that the Speaker told him that if be interrupted again he would have to withdraw.

A:tr Will Thorne then jumped up and left the House, but before doing he said: I know what I’d like to call him. Atiss Susan Lawrence administered the final rebuke to Lady Astor. “I am going to address a few woids to the noble lady opposite,” she began, and members whispered “Hush! Hush” and leaned forward in anticipation. “She is just like a child, she continued. “She flings accusations about like a child and she repeats words'she hears and uses them without any real reflection.”