DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN N.S.W. PARLIAMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4626, 19 January 1894, Page 2

DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN N.S.W. PARLIAMENT.

Sydney, January 17.; N Tha Governor's Speech at the opening of Parliament nothing fresh, being on of the Government programme already cabled. ■ . •

Mr G. H. Reid, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, generally condemning the Qnvernment for proroguing Parliament at a critioal time.

Sir George Dibbß, the Premier, said that if Mr Reid'B action were en« - dorsedit would plunge the oountry into chaos.

H, Copeland, Minister for Lands, proceeded to address the House, and Mr J. Hindle, rising to a point of order, asked the Speaker whether it was competent for a member to address the House while in a state of intoxication.

A most discreditable scene followed. _ Mr Copeland, who was greatly oxcited, threatened to "wring that d—— scoundrel's neok," but was prevented by other members from .walking across to Mr Hindle. The galleries were olearefjitnd Mr Copeland was ordered from,theCham* ber_ during the remainder of tho sitting, but it was decided not to proceed with business, and the House adjourned almost immediately. January 18, After the Houbo adjourned last night, Mr Copeland, who Lad caused the scene in the Chamber, loitered about waiting for Mr Hindle, who wisely departed by the back entrance, The scene was an extremely painful one. Here was the Minister of the Crown, dressed in 9 short white duok coat, without a vest, hatleßS, and with his collar and tie awry, standing in front of the main entrance to the House, with a laughing jeering crowd near him, some member of the crowd occasionally remarking to the police to lock him up, and orying, "If he was a poor man yuuwould have done so," Sir George Mba and Mr Sutton vainly endeavoured to get Mr Copeland within the preoinots of the House, but the crowd hustled the whole party in to the House.