ANGRY CLASH IN CANBERRA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27427, 13 August 1954, Page 11

ANGRY CLASH IN CANBERRA

There were angry scenes in the House of Representatives today when the debate on the Royal Commission Bill was resumed. At one stage, the Leader of the Opposition (Dr. H. V. Evatt), white-faced and • trembling, called a Government member “a dirty little liar” and was sternly callted to order by the Speaker. The bill, designed to strengthen the Royal Commission on Espionage and to put its powers beyond doubt, was 1 eventually • passed by the House and went to the Senate. Trouble began early in today’s proceedings when Dr. Evatt, who resumed the debate, clashed with the Speaker and was prevented from referring to proceedings before the Royal Commission. The Speaker (Mr A. G. Cameron) ruled that happenings before the commission could not be referred to in the House and when dissent was rpoved, his ruliHfg was upheld by 58 votes to 48. Mr W. C. Wentworth (Liberal, New South Wales) voted with Labour members against the Speaker’s ruling. Dr. Evatt said the Labour Party was concerned lest innocent people should be smeared during the proceedings of the Royal Commission. Later Mr Wentworth provoked the noisiest scene so far in this Parliament when he said: “An analysis of the public policy pursued in foreign affairs by the gentleman who is now Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition has been underlined throughout by a continuous pro-Communist thread and bias.” Uproar followed and Dr. Evatt shouted: “You are lying, you dirty little liar.” Mr Wentworth: “I say that throughout there has been a pro-Communist bias, but I do not accuse Dr. Evatt of always knowing what he has done.” Dr. Evatt, lifting his voice above loud exchanges across the chamber, again shouted: “You dirty little liar.” Calling loudly for order, the Speaker jumped to his feet and told Dr. Evatt: “You will'withdraw that remark. That is most unseemly conduct.” Dr. Evatt withdrew, but said he objected to being insulted. Later, Mr E. J. Ward (Labour, New South Wales) referred to Mr Wentworth as “this worm'.” The Speaker called Mr Ward to order. Mr P C. Pollard (Labour Victoria): “The dirty mongrel.” The Speaker called Mr Pollard to order and at the Speaker’s direction, Mr Pollard ’ withdrew his remarks.