APPLAUSE AND DISSENT IN THE COMMONS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11644, 4 May 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

APPLAUSE AND DISSENT IN THE COMMONS,

■» Applause in the House of Commons is strictly governed by precedent and practice. '" Tear" is the only token of approval permitted, and that repeated over and over again by a couple of hundred members produces the phenomenon known as " loud and prolonged cheers." In a new Parliament it generally happens that inexperienced members forget themselves and clap their hands. i.'his has happened twice already since the House met. On the first occasion the Speaker called attention to the matter, but me night when a Tory member paid Windon Churchill this absent-minded complinent it escaped his attention. Sometimes ttrangers offend in this matterto them, of ;ourse, all applause is forbidden—and are jromptly shown the door. The only occa- j don one remembers when a stranger who •lapped his hands was not removed was j when Mr. Gladstone introduced his first i Home Rule Bill. At the end of the great speech a young man sitting in the front of he gallery vigorously applauded, and the loorkeeper pretended not to hear. It was he late Duke of Clarence. The methods of expressing dissent in a parliamentary manner are more varied. • No, no," is the most common; " Quesion," too, is a favourite mode of challenging i statement. "Shame," is not infrequently nterjected at moments of excitement, hough it is doubtful whether this is strictly n order. The most approved method of in;errti])tion, however, is shouting "Divide," 31' rather " 'Vide." This is generally effective in silencing a speaker if the House is letermined not to hear him, and is generally •esorted to late at night.London Chronicle.