Scenes in the Victorian Parliament.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 218, 6 November 1888, Page 2

Scenes in the Victorian Parliament.

Mbdboubnb, Oot 23. A curious scene occurred in the Viotorisn Parliament last Thursday night in connection with the stonewalling tactics now being carried on against the Electoral Bill. The Opposition had stonewalled up till 11 o'clock, and Mr Gaunson, the laet speaker, who had been peculiarly insulting to the Premier, had just sat down when the time had arrived after which no new business could be taken. Mr Gillies then rose amid deafening cheers from his party, but. he had not time to open hia lips before Mr Jones, acting for the Opposition, called attention to the presence of strangers, and all the galleries were cleared. The Opposition was loudly reprobated for its cowardice, and in order that it should not succeed in preventing Mr Gillies’ remarks being reported Mr Deakin, Mr Pearson, and others took full notes. Sir Bryan O’Loghlan, Mr Gaunson and Mr Vale rose to points of order, and asked the Speaker to stop the note taking. The Speaker declined to do so, and Mr Deakin defied the “ gaggers,” as the Opposition were called, to interfere. The Premier’s speech occupied half an hour, and when he concluded Mr Bent rose, but the Ministerial party had revenge, for almost every member left the chamber, and the House was counted out shortly before midnight. Oct 26. The discussion on the Redistribution of Seats Bill in committee was further continued in committee last night. Personal recriminations were indulged in. Mr Bent commenced to stonewall, and attacked the Minister of Customs. Amidst the greatest uproar, he said he had crawled into the House in a non temptible way by a majority, which he (Mr Bent) had given him. Mr Walker emphatically denied this, IJr IJent then attacked the Minister of Lands, and said that if Mr Dow's picture were in Madame Tussaud’s waxworks it would be at once taken for that of the Whitechapel murderer. Mr Dow replied with a retort about someone going to the Lake’s entrance with another man’s wife, An ominous silence ensued, but Mr Bent passed tfie remark off by interjecting, “ It’s as true as many other things that are said." Later on Mr Bent appealed to Mr Dow to withdraw the insinuation, but Mr Dow replied by saying that “ When a man insulte me I will say anything.'*