A NOVEL SPEECH.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3141, 13 March 1879, Page 1

A NOVEL SPEECH.

As a specimen of Parliamentary oratory says the Sydney Morning Herald, the following, which is a portion of a certain hon. member's utterance delivered re« cently in the Assembly, is unique,, though the pom* lies more in the orator's manner than in his'matter. The hon. gentleman was giving ™nt to a philippic against tb« Chinese who congregated on the gold* fields, and referring to a particular phase of their wickedness, he expressed himself 'thus, amid the uproarious laughter of his auditors:—" I can't say mooch about de Shinesc, I never vas dar, I don't honorable slientlemen, dare custom ish disgraceful not alone in dis country bat dare own country. We read it efray day dat daro is do more as I can say of I am allowed to speak more on dis occasion. Dare ish not perhaps no honorable mem*

ber\has more opportunity as I have of travel troo de gol'fields. (Hear, hear). Here we are—dare is many young man is lookin' for his wife—(laughter) and I know dat yen I vas lookin' for vife I look for good-lookin' and perseyerin' one (great laughter)—but here is dis class of Seople going from one gol'field to anoder, eceivin' the poor young individuals— (uproarious laughter) — great strappin' fellows, not to marry them, but to choose dem sir." Mr Speaker, who doubtless trembled to see the dignity of the House thus overturned, was struck with an idea that enabled him to restore the slutus quo. He accordingly reminded the hon. member that he was out of order in speaking on the Chinese question, as two motions in reference to the same subject were on the notice paper. The hon. gentleman, with a deference to the Speaker's ruling which might well be imitated by others, at once abandoned the subject and gracefully resumed his seat, with the following remark :—" I apologise, Mr Shpeaker and honorable shentlemen," for going too far, but, as far as I vent, I 'ope you vill beg pardon." And as the House shook with convulsions of laughter, the hon. gentleman joined in the merriment as if he had really done something to be proud of. It should be added that the effect of tho speech was greatly heightened by a barrelorgan accompaniment in the adjoining street.