A FREE RIGHT IN PARLIAMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 107, 14 March 1868, Page 6

A FREE RIGHT IN PARLIAMENT.

Thehe has been a regular fight in the New South Wales Parliament. It seems that Mr. Parkes was making a speech relating to a dispute which had occurred between his department and the dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church, when he was interrupted, hut on the Speaker ruling him in order, the member of Central Cumberland, Mr. Macpherson, rose as if for the purpose of disputing the Speaker’s ruling. This caused a scene of great confusion to occur on the floor of the Chamber. Cries of “chair, chair,” and “shame, shame,” were ■vehemently uttered by some of the Ministerial supporters, in the midst of which Mr. Macpherson is reported to have said that ho would not be deprived of his rights by “the paltry hangers-on of a moribund Government.” This remark was responded to by the term “blackguard,’ upon which one of the members on Mr. Macpherson’s side asked “who says blackgaurd ?” Immediately afterwards Mr. Lee, the member for West Maitland, crossed from the Ministerial to the Opposition side, and, after a sharp interrogatory to Mr. Macpherson, struck him a blow in the face with his clenched fist. The confusion now became general. Mr. Macpherson did not return the blow, and other members interfered to prevent a repetition of it. It was maintained by some that Mr. Lee ought to be taken into custody, and by others that he should be expelled the House. While this was going on Mr. Macpherson had left the Chambers, avowing, as he passed through the library, his intention to procure a stick or a whip to punish his assailant. Accordingly he returned with a heavy hunting whip, and meeting Mr. Lee in the library, succeeded in striking him one blow on the face or head with the whip. A scuffle immediately ensued. The antagonists rushed at each other, and were soon rolling on the carpet; while partisans on either side gathered round and joined in the melee—blows having been exchanged, it is said, between two of them also. The police, who bad been sent for, were now coming up; but the disgraceful scene had terminated before their arrival; the members left the House, and thus closed the proceedings of the day. On the day following, Thussday, shortly after the Assembly met, the Premier, Mr. Martin, entered into an explanation of his reasons for not interfering on the spot in his capacity of Attorney-General and head of the magistracy; and, after pointing out the various ways in which the case might be dealt with, declared bis readiness to act at once r in his official capacity, if the Assembly would put him in motion *>y a formal vote. Dr. Laing immediately rose, and, after some remarks deprecatory of such scandalous scenes, moved that the Attorney-General be instructed to prosecute both Mr. Lee and Mr. Macpherson. This resolution was ultimately agreed to.