SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1911, Page 5

SCENE IN PARLIAMENT

6CENE IX PARLIAMENT I HOOTIXG A SPEAKER. MEMBERS WTLDLY EXCITED. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, December 19. In the Assembly, when Mr. Wa<te had left the Chamber, the Oppositionists gathered round the Speaker's chair and hooted him and shouted uncomplimentary remarks. The Speaker -tried to call the Sergeant-at-Arms, but was unable to make his voice heard above the din. The Minister of Mines gave- a hand and assisted him from the chair and escorted him from the Oliamter. The Oppositionists then gathered in the lobby. Several had! their coats off. and a free fight seemed imminent. All were wihMy excited. A solid plialanx of Ministerialists, however, escorted Mr. Willis in safety to his room. The Premier played a prominent part in preventing violence. He coolly pushed hfa way to the front and forced quarrelers apart by the exercise of his great physical powers. THE PACIFIC CABLE. Melbourne, December 19. In the Federal House of Representatives Mr. Frasc-r introduced a Bill to authorise the Pacific Cable Board to construct a cable from Australia to Xew Zealand. He said the matter only rested with Australia for complete authorisation. It was a matter of urgency, the duplication being necessary to obviate delays and breakdowns. Mr. Fislier said he had heard that something was being done in connection with the State-owned Atlantic cable, which might be expected, but the Commonwealth was in the hands of the British Government in the matter. The Bill was passed through all stagea INCOME-TAX BILL. Sydney, December 19. The Legislative Council passed the Income Tax Bill, which the Government stated would shortly 1* repealed arid introduced in different form. The House adjourned till 'February.