TEMPERATE COMMONERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12482, 19 April 1906, Page 7

TEMPERATE COMMONERS.

On the subject of temperance Mr Will Crooks, M.P., has been making himself conspicuous in the House of Commons. In the course of debato a few evenings ago he said:—''.l have heard cries of 'di-vido,' 'di-vide.' and have seen members like this." In illustration, the speaker nodded and swayed about like a tipsy man. He added, "What we want in Parliament are steady, sober men, who know what they want, and how to get it." It is surprising (says the London correspondent of the "Argus") ihe Speaker did not promptly siirprtts Mr Crooks, and that Mr Crooks' conduct has not been made a question of privilege. That step may yet be taken. Possibly, as Mr Crooks is ono of tho pots of tho liabour party, his remarks may l>e passed by in silence. Such scenes as lie describes were not uncommon once, but in this twentieth century the Commons is as sober as a Quaker's meeting. A member of the kitchen committee declares that there are 250 teetotal members, and that the consumption of wine has greatly decreased. Ho adds:—"Any -Miggos-ti-nn made by a Labour momlier as to intemperance" is an invention, designed to raise cheap cheers from the people who are delighted to lielieve themselves more virtuous than their fellows." "During 20 years." adds thii> member, "I hav-o never seen any intemperance in the Hoii-e or in its precincts."