THE COMMONS CROWDED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9375, 2 November 1921, Page 5

THE COMMONS CROWDED.

EFFECT OF PREMIER'S SPEECH. LONDON, November 1. It is a long time since., the scene m the House of Commons was so animated. Every seat was filled and the gangways were packed, members sitting, on the steps. Eyen the AttorneyGeneral had to take refuge m the gallery, as the Treasury bench was overcrowded. The Duke of York was present. There were a number of interruptions during Mr Lloyd George's speech, especially regarding the Government's alleged negotiations with the "murder gang," but he generally carried the House with him. There was a stormy scene later. While Earl Winterton (Co.-Unionist) was speaking, Mr Jack Jones (Labour, Silverton) addressed the Chair, asking "Why don't you call up some of these bounders?" The Deputy-Speaker asked Mr Jones to withdraw the expression. Mr Jones refused and was asked to leave the House. After a protest he did so crying: "I am sorry I ever entered it." Mr Lloyd George's speech was of an emotional character. Several times he spoke with great emphasis, raising both clenched hands oyer his head, particularly when he asked for the confidence of the House of Commons as their negotiators. His speech i« interpreted m the lobby as a warning to Sinn Fein that a critical point m the negotiations has been reached. The gloomy tone of the speech is believed to be intended to prepare the public for a possible breakdown of the negotiations with the terrible sequel of civil war. The Ulster members generally are satisfied. It is believed that Mr Lloyd George will not ask Ulster to give up Tyrone and Fermanagh, as Sinn Fein is demanding, or give the Southern Parliament 'a superior status to that of the Northern ' Parliament. The general feeling is that the secession of the 40 odd "Diesards" will strengthen, rather than weaken, the Coalition, as the Government needs a stronger Opposition. j