DISORDER IN COMMONS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 11

DISORDER IN COMMONS

Demonstration In Ottawa

(Rec. 11 p.m.) OTTAWA. June 2. An unprecedented Opposition demonstration erupted in the Canadian House of Commons yesterday. Wild disorder reigned for 30 minutes. It was directed at the Speaker. Mr Rene Beaudoin, who refused to hear Progressive Censervative and Socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation members on points of order and privilege. Mr Beaudoin, in the afternoon sitting, put to a vote a ruling that the debate on the semi-final stage of the complicated Trans-Canada Natural Gas Pipeline Bill was in order. Mr Davie Fulton, a Progressive Conservative member, was immediately on his feet with a point of order. But Mr Beaudoin kept reading the motion, ignoring Mr Fulton, who continued talking. Two other members rose and tried to make themselves heard. Then the C.C.F. leader, Mr M. J. Coldwell, his face red. strode from his front-row scat to a spot in front of the Speaker’s mace—symbol of Parliamentary sovereignty and democracy. He shook his fist angrily at the Speaker. Liberal members slammed their desk covers in unison, adding to the uproar. The Liberals began singing, but only half-heartedly. Some appeared stunned by what was going on a few feet in front of them. They sang two new songs—“ There’ll Always be a Pipeline," and “We’ve Been Working on the Pipeline"—as well as “Home on the Range.” “Pack Up Your Troubles,” “Tipperary,” and the French folk song “A St. Malo.” When a small group of Liberals began singing “Onward Christian Soldiers,” there was a volley of Opposition cries of “Shame, shame.” Mr Beaudoin sat white-faced in the Speaker’s chair, looking straight ahead. He did not try to restore order. The shouting and singing gradually died down. The Opposition members remained in the aisle, talking to one another. The hubbub died down finally after long minutes of disorder and orderly voting began. A Government closure motion limiting debate on the bitterly-fought gas pipeline legislation was carried. The motion forced the Commons to remain in session until early this morning when the closure took effect to halt the committee stage of debate on the pipeline bill. The final stage of the debate is scheduled for Monday.