PARLIAMENTARY TERMS OF ENDEARMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4462, 8 July 1875, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY TERMS OF ENDEARMENT.

In the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales lately, Mr. Davies moved the adjournment of the House. He desired to draw the attention of the House and the country to the unseemly conduct of a member of this House towards him last eveniug. It was only right and proper that the country should know the peculiar qualification this gentleman held as regards education and .culture to entitle him to he a representative of the people. Immediately at the close of the House last night ho went into an adjoining room, when, in the presence of the hon. member for East Maitland, the most atrocious language was used towards him. Mr. Hill : Why don’t you state the language ? Mr. Davies : The hon. member for Canterbury called him “ a damned scoundrel.” [Mr. Hill ; Hear, hear.] That language might do for a low tap-room, but he hardly thought it in keeping with the Legislature of the country. He imagined in coming into Parliament that he was coming into the society of gentlemen, and that he would hear from them respectful and courteous language. But he found that amongst the seventy-two members there were some who used the foulest language. He thought no hon. gentleman having regard to the character of their institutions would tolerate the use of language so low towards him. Not ouly that, the hon. gentleman used worse language. [Mr. Hill : What was it ?] It was possible that he might make the hon. gentleman prove the language that he was a damned scoundrel—in another place. He was quite aware that in the heat of debate unkind things might be said, but as far as he was concerned he carried no ill-mil outside the House. He expected whilst there to be treated as a gentleman, and he would treat every other hon. member with the respect that his position as a member of that House entitled him to. As far as his position went he had obtained it by indomitable perseverance and industry, without the aid of position, wealth, and influence, and he challenged any hon. gentleman to say anything to his discredit—anything that could bring a blush to his face. Therefore, to be called a “ damned scoundrel ” by one who was his senior in years, and old enough to be his father, almost induced him to lower himself to the same level. However, he had no desire even now to remember these things. But he thought the House should be made acquainted with the facts of the case.

Mr. Hill said it was not necessary that he should recall to the recollection of the House the insult that was offered to him last evening, and there was no doubt there were times when one was compelled, as it were, to forget himself. It might be that he forgot himself by calling the hon. gentleman a damned scoundrel. But he did not think so—(laughter) —and his ouly regret was that he did not do something more. He need hardly say that if the rules of the House failed to protect hon. gentlemen when they were insulted the way he was insulted, they could not say what would he the consequence. If the rules of the House failed to protect hon. gentlemen they would have to come into the House with bowie knives and pistols to protect themselves, as they did in some of the States of America they read of. The hon. gentleman had no cause to insult him in the gross way he did because he interposed an interjection. The hon. gentleman spoke of his character ; but the hon. gentleman had never ceased since he became a member of the House to insult somebody. [Mr. Parkes ; Hear, hear.] If he had his will he would put a whip into every man’s hand, and “lash such a rascal naked through the world.”

The motion for adjournment was negatived on division. Ayes, 12 ; noes, 26. —Sydney Morning Herald.