RIOTOUS SCENE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7915, 26 September 1911, Page 5

RIOTOUS SCENE

SEVEN MEMBERS EJECTED. NEW SOUTH WALES ASSEMBLY. The following particulars of the scene of uproar and violence which occurred in the New South Wales Assembly on Tuesday last are given by the Sydney ‘Daily Telegraph" : , A few minutes after the Legislative Assembly met Mr David Storey asked tbo Premier' had his attention been drawn to certain remarks made by a member of tbe House who had characterised certain members of Parliaments as ■‘ruffians," and if so — Mr Fitzpatrick: Ho is a ruffian himself, Mr David Storey: I am not saying that because I am a respectable person, but I ask the Premier, looking at bis responsible position in the House, will ha take stops to have this bon. member brought before the bar of Parliament and have him arraigned? (Opposition cheers.) Mr McGowon.: As 1 intimated last week it was the intention of the Government not to answer any questions without notice, I ask the hon. member to give notice of the question. Mr Wade: I desire to ask the Premier without notice is there any understanding botaveeu the Government and the member for the Upper Hunter, or the Speaker, that no business shall be taken during tliis session that

The Speaker: Older! That question haa been asked on more than one occasion. The hon. member is out of order. Mr Wood : Has the Premier’s attention been drawn to a statement made by the member for the Upper Hunter (the Speaker) that a certain arrangement exists and certain details have been arranged between tbo member for tho Upper Hnntor and tho Government aa to what business the Government should, take? Will bo say whether these details are true or not?

Mr McGowen: Surely the bon. member cannot think that, having refused to answer other hop. gentlemen, I will answer him. Air Fitzpatrick: Oh, why don’t you bo straight? Mr McGowen (testily): Why don't Ido the business in . the way I think fit? (Government cheers.) Mr Fitzpatrick: Yon arc only a chip in porridge. You know that. (Daughter.) Dr Arthur: I 'wish to draw tho attention of tho House to certain slanderous statements made by a member of this House regarding other horn members. I beg to move that the Clerk read these statements. (Opposition cheers.) Tile Speaker: Do I understand the hon. member wishes to make an indictment against the press? (Laughter and disorder, during which Mr Cohon engaged in argument across tho table with Mi McGowen,.) The Sneaker: Order! The hon. member for "Petersham is out of order. If tho hon. member for Middle Harbour wishes to make an indictment against tho press, and can vouch for the Correct-, ness of the report, I will hear Him. Otherwise ho will not bo heard. THE FIRST DISTURBANCE. After further passages similar to thosv. above given tbo Speaker said; I have ropieatedly told the hon. member for Petersham .that if ho again offended he would have to bo removed. (Disorder, during which the Speaker remained standing.) .When quietness was obtained, the Speaker continued: “Sergeant, remove the lion, member for Petersham!” (Hohewed disorder.) Mr Cohen rose as tho Sergeant approached. and moved to have the Chamber, but he was seized by Mr Fitzpatrick, who shouted, "No you are going to stop here.”

Tho Honse was immediately in an uproar. Mr Cohen made another attempt to reach tho door, saying, "Before I go I want to say that 1 never /opened my lips since you spoke to me, and would like to know what you ordered my removal for.”

Mr Wood (rising and blocking Mr Cohen’s exit): "Yes, let’s tear what for.” The space on .the floor of the House between the front Opposition bench and the tabid became in a moment a mass of struggling humanity. The Sorgeant-at-Arms, backed up by the messengers, endeavoured to ‘persuade Mr Cohen to leave, but Messrs Wood, Varney Parkes,-Mil-lard, Perry (The Richmond), Moxham, and Fitzpatrick blocked the way and pushed, while Mr Price, Mr Fell, Mr Lonsdale,' and other lion, members became mixed up on. the other flank of the scrimmage. In the midst of the hubbub Mr Wade could bo observed vainly appealing to the Speaker and to the Premier, who sat in his seat throughout the proceedings, without a word or a movement. , ■ Mr Cohen (shaking the Sergeant off): Before I go I say .they (pointing to members of the Ministry) ought to be ashamed to sit there and allow these proceedings to go on. Mr Wood: We will all go out if wa . know why, but you tell us what for. SPEAKER LEAVES THE CHAIR.

The uproar continued for some minutes, and then the Speaker rose, took up.hia papers, and left the chair, amid. continuous "boo-boos’’ from the Opposition.. , Mr Perry (Tie Richmond) leaped into the chair, and picking up the books and blotting-pad from the desk, hurled them, after the departing Speaker. ' Members of the Ministry followed the Speaker from the Chamber, and .the House was shortly left iu comparative quietness, though knots of excited members remained arguing amongst themselves for some time. A SECOND SCENE.

Before Slid Opposition members began to dirift into the Chamber, and several Government heads wore poked in at the d< Mr'Fitzpatrick, who was the centre of a small coterie of Oppositionists, Tamed some merriment by announcing at iiw tervals, "Gentlemen, Mr - Squeaker. "Bring in the Squeaker!" tho while Mr Levy was pacing nervously up and down, the Opposition side of the tableWhen the clock in the Chamber pointed to 5.30. all of the members of the Opposition had taken them places, but the Government benches waro almost bare. .... Mr Cohen, still calm and smiling, returned with his colleagues and took nit seat. Three minutes later tho bell eonnded. and Government members filed into their seatsThe Speaker took his seat unnot*oed. and commenced nervously to fumble some papers on. his desk. Nothing 'wat said for a moment, and, as tho bpcaker remained seated, ■ Mr Wado xoso and said, “"Mr Speaker. At once the Speaker rose, with his com* maud of "Order!" and Mr VUdo eat down. " Same old thing,’’ was tho loud comment of Opposition members., Tho Sneaker: As hon. members are aware, I‘had to leave the chair owing to unseemly conduct on tho part of several hon, members whom I repeatedly to order under a certain. Standing Order Which I will read:— 292. —A member who shall so com duct himself as to make it necessary for the Speaker or Chairman of Committees to call him to order more than three times in the course of any ■ ono sitting for any gross breach of the rules Opposition members : " Gross ’’ breach* Tho Speaker (again reading) For anv gross breach of the rules, may, bv the order of the Speaker or Chairman,of Committee, be removed by tho Sergcant-at-Arms from the Chamber until tbe termination of sitting. (Uproar.) A DISGRACEFUL STRUGGLE. Taking no notice of the interruptions which came from all parts of tho House, the Sneaker called up the Sergeant-at>, Arras,' saring, "Sergeant, yon will have tho assistance of the messengers of this

House. You will remove the iiou. member lor Bega 1" Immediately there was again uproar, and Opposition members crowded round Mr Wood, holding on to his arms, and forming a ring about him, apparently determined to keep him in the Chamber. Mr Wood (to the Speaker): I ask you what for? An Opposition member: We'd better all go out with him now 1 By this time the Sergeant and his assistants —some white-haired veterans — were closing in on the Opposition fortifications, and one or two of the energetic messengers laid hands on Mr Wood, who oil the time was gesticulating loudly. He cried: “Bet the leader ot the House deal with me I Let the House deal witii me I i call upon the loader of the Jlouse to get up and move a motion to deal with mo!" But Mr McGowen, to whom these appeals were made, sat in his chair, smiling grimly. He said nothing. Ail Opposition member (to Mr Wood): Bettor go out! The Domocrats and tho Government members were quiet, as before, only answering occasional interjections; but on the Opposition side, cramped between the table and the benches, was a surging mcb-Mr Wood in the centre, with colleagues and perspiring messengers at cross purposes mauling him about. Mr Wood followed tne example set by members around him, and beat olf his assailants. “You will only got into trouble,'" ho shouted as ho loosened a grip on his shoulder, and forced back a oouplo of messengers who were charging his front.

“I am willing to bo dealt with by this House," again shouted Air Wood, looking across at liio silent Government members.

Thorc was no response, and Mr \\ ood and his friends renewed their defence with great vigour. The Sergeant himself had by tins time reached Air Wood, and had laid hands upon him. Mr Wood protested vigorously, and rounded on the Sergeant, saying, “It you want football, you 11 get ill" pushing Sergeant back over the table. The combined efforts of the messengers were removing Mr Wood towards the side door, and U© cried out as he came opposite Air Holman, "Come on, Mr Attorney-General. You can suspend me!"

The chamber was in an uproar, but up fie this time the crowded galleries had remained dumb with astonisument. While the wrestle was still at its height Mr Wade and Hr Levy, separating themselves trom the mob, went round the table to have a lew words with Hr U'oCrowon. The Premier received them coldly, and cave no indication that he would interfere.

Then, of a sadden, the scene was changed. beven helmetod police came in at the double from behind the Speaker's chaii Their arrival was greeted by a frantic round of applause from the galleries. The ladles were especially enthusiastic in their welcome of the blueooats.

ilr W T ood’s ejection was quickly accomplished by the officers, still ably backed up by the Sergeant-atiAnns and his messengers. Among those who took a prominent resisting part was Hr Parry (Richmond), who nearly throttled a messenger, but who was pushed aside near tho door by a burly constable. All was pandemonium about the Speaker’s chair tor a few moments until tho scuffling crowd passed, and several members fell 'in the melee. ' PLYING BOOKS.

During these proceedings Colonel Onslow- throw a book at the Speaker, who was very pale, and similar missiles were thrown towards the ohair by Hr Henley and by other members, whoso identity ao-Ud iioc be distinguished in the genera) mix-up. None of the shots hit the mark. The galleries enjoyed the turn things end taken, and cheered vociferously. The ladies still clapped their hands. But members of the Opposition were loud in their protests of indignation. Mr Levy (aneeringly): These are the people who talk about coercion! The Speaker: Order! Order! Hr David Storey; McGowen police! McGowan police! (Laughter.) The Speaker-, .Remove Mi Cohen! Police, remove 1 Hr Cohen!

Mr Cohen; The hon. member for I'eteirsham, if you please! Mr Co lion went out. Several other members were removed in similar fashion and then tho House settled down to quietness.