SCENE IN THE COMMONS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 145, 16 July 1909, Page 2

SCENE IN THE COMMONS.

MEMBER ACCUSE!) 01' BEING DRUNK. CONSIDERABLE UPROAR. U ~" A MEMBER SUSPENDED. By Cable.—Prean Amociation.—Copyright Received July 15, 'J. 15 p.m. London, July 15. During the Budget deiiate, Mr. illiaiu Thome (ijiibor Member for West Dam) interrupted Mr. E. 0. i'rottyman. j.lic interruption led to a remark by tile Earl of Winterton (Conservative .Ueinoer lor Sussex) that Mr. Tliorne was in an unlit, state to participate ill Hie debute. Mr. Xhorne replied: "1 am as sober as you are, my dear friend." Air. Emmot, chairman, ordered tlie withdrawal of Earl Wiuterton's reman;. Earl 'Winterton said: ".My sincere opinion is that the member is unlii to participate in the debate, but as )0U rule otherwise, 1 withdraw the remarK.' Air. Emmot: "I must ask the Lubor members not to keep interrupting." lieceivcd July 15, 10.10 p.ni. Loudon, July lit. At Mr. Keir llardie's instance, Mr. Enunott asked for a more formal withdrawal of the expression. He had not, he said, heard Earl Winterton say He still thought Mr. Thome was in an unlit condition, but had understood him to witiidraw the remark. Earl Winterton: "No other meaning could attach to my words." Mr. Thome: ''lf he is not prepared to withdraw the remark, I call him * l' arl " ~ ~ At this there was considerable uproa!. Air. Emmott said Karl Winterton had withdrawn everything. ...... Mr. Thome: "lie's ail absoluto liu.r, I am as sober as uny man in the House." Mr. Emmott asked for the withdrawal of such an unparliamentary expression. Mr. Tliorne: k, -l do nothing of tae

k Mr. Thorne was then suspended for tlio rest of the sitting. Mr. Thome, on quitting the House, addressing Earl Wintorton, said: Now, you walk out and see whether you are as sober as X am." , Mr. Keir Hardie later assured Mr. Emmott that Mr. Thome had not tasted liquor duririg the whole day, and t/iat he had used the words regarding Earl Winterton under extreme provocation. Mr. Hardie appealed to tlic chairman to recall Mr. Thome's suspension. Earl Winterton, amid cheers, said tnat in view of Mr. Hardie's statement, W was prepared to apologise to Mr. liiorne. Mr. Emmott was unable to rescind the suspension under the rules of tne House.