LABOUR WAGES "WAR OF NOISE" TO ANNOY SPEAKER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23218, 1 April 1950, Page 5

LABOUR WAGES "WAR OF NOISE" TO ANNOY SPEAKER

CANBERRA, March. 31

Observers suggest that Labour will move a motion of censure against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. A. G. Cameron, when Parliament reassembles after Easter.

If it is strong, a section of the Government members will urge the Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, to declare the motion a nonparty question.

In that event enough Government' members would vote for the motion to ensure it was carried, leaving Mr. Cameron no option but to resign.

Government members said outside the House that Mr. Cameron had seriously embarrassed them by making a statement in the House yesterday on his attitude towards the GovernorGeneral Mr. W. J. McKell. Mr Menzies has previously expressed displeasure at having to support rulings by the Speaker with which he was not in sympathy. Meanwhile Labour members conducted a war of noise against Mr. Cameron who ruled that all divisions must be conducted in silence. Opposition noises included mass coughing, high pitched screeches caused by hands being rubbed along polished woodwork, exaggerated yawns, tapping, squeaking and sawing noises and interference with microphones. The sallies convulsed the House and even the Prime Minister joined the laughter when Mr. E. J. Ward (Labour) whisDered “Dr. Evatt wants his wig back.” When Dr Evatt stepped down from the High Court Bench to enter politics, he presented a full-bottomed wig to the Commenwealth Parliament. It is now being worn by Mr. Cameron as (Sneaker).