ALL-NIGHT SCENES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1191, 28 July 1911, Page 6

ALL-NIGHT SCENES.

_ 1 "disorder in n.-s.w. assembly.

The New. South Wales Legislative As-, semblv sat until 10 minutes past 7 o'clock on the morning of July 20. Consideration in Committee o.f.the Criminal Appeal Bill was completed shortly before 3 o'clock, and the Acting-Premier then moved that the House go into Committee t'o deal with amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Parliamentary Elections Bill.

Mr. Wade pressed the Acting-Premier lo adjourn. Good progress,'lie said, had been made, and it was most unreasonable under the circumstances to prolong the sitting, especially in'view of the fact that the next sitting was likely to be a long one by reason of the proposal to pass a Supply Bill through all .its stages. The Acting-Premier explained .that lie proposed to ask the House to accent, all the amendments made by the Legislative Council in tile measure, except one which denied the franchise to inmates of charitable institutions. There was really nothing, he stated, that could be added to what was said when the Bill was originally. before the House.

. Mr.' Wade said there were the gravest' reasons yhy t lie House should refuse to enfranchise the inmates of charitable institutions. The matter was one that ought to bo 'discussed, but not' when members were exhausted and wearied.

The Acting-Premier said the Government was responsible ' for the business of the House, and he could not absent; lo an adjournment until the Council's amendments had been disposed of. This was resented by members of the Opposition, and a good deal of irritation was manifested.

Mr. Moxham and Mr. Wood spokoin opposition to the Acting-Premier's motion that the Assembly disagree with the Council's amendment with regard to the inmates of charitable institutions.

Mr. Price followed, but was promptly "gaggorl" on'the motion of the ActingPremier; and Mr. Fitzpntrick had no sooner started to speak than a motion was moved by Mr. Iloyle. "That the hon. member bo 110 further heard."

Hereupon Colonel Onslow moved as an amendment, "That the lion, member be further heard," and acceptance of this amendment by the Acting-Chairman led to utter confusion and disorder. Colonel Onslow's amendment was rejected by' ;ii to 27, and the .Minister for Mines at onco moved that, the question be put. At this'stage, while Mr. Cohen to en-, dcavouring lo state a point of order. Colonel Onslow indignantly coninlained that the member for '.lie .Darling'(Mr. Mertian)' had called him a "galoot," and ho demanded a'withdrawal and apology. Mr. Median made amends.

Next Mr. Cohen and Mr. Edden eamo into collision, the former contending that a point of order he wished to take must precede a motion by Mr. Eddcn that the question be put. For several minutes the Assembly got beyond control. When a semblance of order was restored. Colonel Onslow moved that the Chairman's ruling be dissented from. This was declared lost 011 the voices .

Mr. M'Coiirt contended that the action of the Chairman in putting to (he vote a 1110Iion "that the member for Orange be further heard" was po! bv any standing order, and that the vote should be oxpugwd from the records.

Again the whole Chamber floundered in confusion, and malleus were not put straight until ' Mr. M'Court's objection was brushed aside, and Mr. Eddcii's motion, "That the question be now nut," was declared carried. By .1(1 votes "to 27 the .Assembly declined to accept tho Council's amendment.

It was then a o'clock. Tho ActingTreasurer asked the House to adopt (ho remaining amendments. Most of them were assented to after discussion, and at 10 'minutes past 7 the House adjourned till half-past fouc.