BATTLE ROYAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1224, 5 September 1911, Page 5

BATTLE ROYAL.

UPROAR IN THE COMMONS. SCENE ON JULY 24. "CAS'T.WE HEAR THE DICTATOR." It was generally "expected that the Honso of Commons on Monday, July 24, would be the . scene of a battle royal (writes the London correspondent of the "Sydnoy Morning Herald"). For weeks ' young Unionists bad been talking of "taking off the gloves," of "going for tho Government," and so forth. On Monday, instead of inscribing their own names on the tickets which marked their places, Borne significantly marked them "diehard" and "last ditch." Questions and some business over, tho Speaker announced "consideration of tho Lords' amendments to the Parliament Bill." Mr. Asquith rose a little before the half-past, hour, but it was 3.57 before Uβ could pronounce an audible sentence. Ugly words like "traitor" were shouted from tho back benches and below tho gangway opposite, and a steady murmur of "divide," "divide" began, grew, died away, and began again. The use of the word "traitor" threw the House into fresh, uproar. Mr. Asquith again essayed to speak, tut the cries were, so hostile that the Speaker again interfered, declaring if .members would persist in rising to pointa of order the discussion could not proceed, and one way to create a disturbance was to point to a particular member. Again Mr. Asquith attempted to speak, but was unable. Mr. Smith: Aro ive not entitled to apply the same treatment that was given to Mr. Lyttelton when he was Colonial Secretary it' we think the Cabinet has degraded the political life of this country? . The Speaker: That precedent should be avoided, not followed. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Asquith again rose, amid cries of "Traitor, traitor." Lord Hugh Cecil shouted to Mr. Asquith: "You are absolutely unworthy'of your position." Several Labour members rose excitedly, calling "Name Cecil," "Name him." All this time Mr. Asquith was standing at tho table. "Consult your masters," was shouted at him. "Let Redmond speak," and cries followed for "Redmond," "Redmond." At length Mr. Asquith got out three or four words, whereupon there were cries of "Redmond* first." Once more Mr. Asquith got out three or four words, but his voice was drowned by cries and counter-cries. The Speaker made another urgent appeal to the Opposition, for, being in the minority, it was most important ' they ehou'ld observe decency and decorum in debate. _ If the- Opposition would not hear the, Primo Minister, what chance was there of the Opposition leader being beard? Mr.' Copper: Can't wo hear the dictator first? "Who Killed tho King?" This was loudly cheered, but Mr. Balfour and the other Opposition leaders eat with their heads bowed. Still there were shouts for' Mr. Redmond, who sat calmly surveying tho scene, with a flower in his buttonhole. Mr. Asquith presently got a batter hearing, and, raising his voice, proceeded: "In the new House of Commons of February, 1910, a resolution embodying all, or almost all, the detailed provisions of the Bill was carried by a large majority. The Bill itself was introduced, and no one can doubt that, but for the death of the King—(loud cries of "Leave the King out")—but for the death of the King—("You leave him alone," and "Who killed the Kingp")-but for the death of the King—("Leave him out of it," and Opposition cheers)—and the temporary truce which ensued, it would have been passed that session through all its stages and eent to another place." (Opposition dissent' and somo interruption.) Mr. Asquith proceeded for some time emid continuous interruption. At length thero wero fresh cries of "Redmond," whereupon the Premier said: "I will not degrade myself further—(loud Ministerial cheers)—l will. not degrade myself further (Opposition cries of "You could not" and. "i'ou are a disgTace")—by endeavouring to press my arguments upon the attention, of hon. members opposite, who obviously aro resolved not to listen to me—(Ministerial cheers)T-furtker than to state in two or three sentences the conclusion at which the Government have arrived—(loud cheers)—and to which, after due time has been given for deliberation, they are going to ask the assent of the. House of Commons. (Renewed Ministerial cheers and Opposition cries of "Too late; too late.") A situation has been created—(Opposition cries of "By Redmond")—from which there is only one constitutional way of escape. That is that unless the House of Lords will consent to restore this Bill—(shouts of "Never" from the Opposition benches)— with, if you like, reasonable amendments —(Opposition ironical laughter)—consistent with its principles and purpose, we shall be compelled to invoke the excrcisa of the prerogative of tie Crown. Hero there were enthusiastic Ministerial cheers, broken with fierce shouts from the Opposition of "You're a disgrace" and ' Traitor." These cries drowned the Right Hon. gentleman's voice, which was strained and broken in his efforts to make himself heard. The Prime Minister sat down. Immediately Ministerialists behind and. Nationalist members below the gangway on the other side of the House sprang to their feet, and waving ha.ts and handkerchiefs cheered him enthusiastically for. several minutes. .Tho Speaker then put the question, "That the Lord^ , amendments be now considered." Mr.'Balfour's Speech. Mr. Baifour rose at once to reply. He was received with ironical cheers by somo o,f the Ministerialists, but a cry of "Hush, hush," arose from tho Treasury bench, and- the shouts quickly subsided. He aaid: "Frankly, I regret I have not been ablo to hear the speech of the Prime Minister. Everyone will understand that such a proceeding as that in which Ministers have indulged cannot but excite deep passionate feelings in a great mass of the community. (Loud cheers.) Nevertheless, my own, view is that, however deep and however passionate be tho sentiment; however just may be the indignation, it is dosirablo we should discuss these matters. I heard the Homo Secretary givo an undeserved taunt. I remember he was once the ringleader of a gang of disturbers over a mere question who should speak first in a debate, and kept Mr. Lyttelton a.- whole hour without allowing one word to bo heard. Whoever has the right to criticise any Minister who speaks for a majority, it certainly is not the Home Secretary." Mr. Baifour proceeded to say the Parliament Bill was not passed to carry a measure dear to the hearts of the people, but t'j prevent tho people expressing a new verdict upon Home Rule. To do this the Premier asked the Crown to do what had never been done in the history of this country. It put the Crown under practical compulsion, and on an excuse so trumpeiy and contemptible as not to justify- tho making of a single peer. He. would ask: When was this advice tendered to the Crown? Was it before the Inst general election? If it was so, was it not clear— A Liberal member: That you'vo been had. (Laughter.) Mr. Baifour: "If the hon. member means that it never entered my head that any Minister under any possible circumstances could give such "ndvieo he is right." For a Government in order to bring a crisis to an end to ask for these unconstitutional powers was beyond pardon, but that they should have done so in cold blood months befoTe the crisis arose, before they knew how it could be used, and, al>ovo all, before . tho King could have , known, surely that would mark the present Administration in the history of all Administrations as tho one least sedulous of keeping intact tho treasure committed to them—most utterly regardless of all the duties which devolved upon tho advisers of a constitutional monarch. (Cheers.) The real heroes were there—(pointing to the Irish benches). They had waited long and patiently. They had issued their decree; it had been obsequiously obeyed. Mr. Baifour was frequently interrupted. Sir E. Grey had a better hearing, but when Mr. F. E. Smith commenced to speak, tho din was .renewed louder than ever. The uproar lasted several minutes, nnd as soon as the Speaker could get a htaring he declared that under rule 21,' which dealt with cases of gravo disorder/ he would adjourn the House. The hubbub continued nearly half an hour after the . Speaker.left tbe Chamber,