DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7826, 21 December 1886, Page 5

DISGRACEFUL SCENE IN THE VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT.

Melbourne, December 15. A scene of disorder and obstruction, almost rivalling some of ' the finest efforts of the New South Wales Legislature, took place in the Victorian Legislative Assembly during Thursday and Friday, the chamber sitting continuously for 25 hours. The question under consideration was the agreement made by the Government with Messrs Chiffy Brothers, the American firm, under which the latter was to obtain poßsessiqon of some 250,000 acres of land in North-west Victoria, fronting the river Murray, on condition that they carried out extensive irrigation works, and settled the country, and establishing industries suob as fruit canning, etc. A certain section of the opposition determined that the agreement should not receive the sanction of the House, while the Government were equally determined to pass the measure legalising the agreement. Up to about two o'clock on Friday morning, the debate was carried on in ' a regular if somewhat protracted manner, but, at that time, determined stone, walling set in, the members speaking against time, and as the House was in committee speaking over and and over again. Mr. Bent was the first member to transgress, stating that members were being kept out of bed to promote a swindle, and declared that members were rushing a scheme through 'from interested motives. Mr. Dow, Minister of Lands, made a sotto* voce reference to the circumstances of his past politics with reference to what Is known as the Kensington Hill Job, in regard to which much was said at the time to the detriment of Mr. Bent. The latter was urged to fury by the taunt, and called Mr. Dow a rogue and a liar. Thereupon a scene of indescribable uproar ensued. Mr. Bent walked across the House to Mr. Burrows, who said, "If you touch me you must take the consequences." The chairman tried to keep order, and the tumult subsided temporarily, but soon re-arose, Messrs. L. L. Smith and Gannson being particularly free in asserting charges of corruption against the Minuterial party. Mr. Deakin, Chief Secretary, in particular, was singled out for attack. During the temporary absence of the chairman Mr. McLellan was voted to the ohair, when scenes of the wildest disorder ensued, the members defying his ruling and throwing balls of papers, books, etc., at each other, and indulging in horseplay of the wildest description. Eventually Mr. McLellan was forced to leave the chair, and Mr. Cooper came back. The House then adjourned from eight till nine on Friday for breakfast, and sat till three in the afternoon, when a compromise was arrived at. Before separating something like good feeling was restored. Several members apologised for words uttered in the heat of debate. The Press comments very severely on the wordy exhibition, and the general feeling of the colony is that the whole incident was such as to bring disgrace upon the Legislature. Mr. Gillies preserved a dignified attitude, and made a very powerful speech. He deplored the mud-throwing tendencies of an irresponsible section of the Opposition, and it is possible that, but for his influence, a still greater scandal might have occurred.