MANNERS IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 18141, 4 December 1922, Page 8

MANNERS IN PARLIAMENT

ONE GENTLEMAN TO ANOTHER. The dose of the sitting of November 3 in the New .South Wales Legislative Assembly was marked by an altercation between Mr Weaver and Mr Molesworth. Mr Weaver endeavored (o justify his previous charge that certain soldier settlers were “drunken, dissolute thieves,” stating that his sole object was to expose the evil-minded settler who was not doing his duty to the State, He then commenced a bitter personal attack on Mr Molesworth, who, he said, had written articles attacking him from motives of spite, Mr Molesworth; “You arc a well-bred mongrel.” Upon being asked to withdraw, Mr Molesworth did so, stating that the member was ■‘an ill-bred mongrel.” He then unreservedly withdrew. Mr Weaver wont on to refer to Mr Molesworth’s “ journalistic larrikinism,” but he was compelled to withdraw the remark, which he altered to “journalistic mediocrity.” Mr Molcswonh: “Among gentlemen there is only one way of replying to you—that is by punching you on the nose; and I will do so as soon as I can «et at yon. A punch on the nose would Jo you good, you big stiff.” Mr Molesworth then left the Chamber, and the House shortly afterwards adjourned.