Frayed Tempers And Fisticuffs In The Queensland House

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27247, 25 November 1949, Page 7

Frayed Tempers And Fisticuffs In The Queensland House

NZPA—Copyright BRISBANE, Nov. 24. After acrimonious scenes in the Queensland Parliament and an exchange of blows in the lobby between the Minister of Agriculture, Mr H. H. Collins, and a Liberal member, Mr Bruce Pie, the Queensland Government last night refused an Opposition request for a Royal Commission into alleged mismanagement of the Golden Casket Art Union, which is a Govern-ment-sponsored lottery. Opposition members later demanded that the Speaker should take action against Mr Collins. Serious Charges The incident was the climax to a series of questions by Mr Pie on the Golden Casket drawings and a demand by the Leader of the Opposition,, Mr G. F. R. Nicklin, for a Royal Commission: The Opposition alleged that a private company, known as Golden Investments, which sold Golden Casket tickets to country, inter-State, and overseas clients, had won a number of prizes on tickets bought by company owners in their own or assumed names. The Attorney-general said that the company owners had won five major prizes worth £15,300 between 1942 and 1949. Mr Nicklin claimed that it was possible for an agent to buy blocks of unsold tickets, which would be included in a drawing. The agent could then collect on the tickets which , drew prizes and post the unsuccessful tickets to clients. The Attorney-general gave the names of four people with New Zealand addresses who had won minor prizes. Opposition cries: Good old New ZeaWhen the Government tabled the number of tickets asked for by the Opposition, Mr Pie said: “ The Government will come at anything.” Two-hour Suspension When he was asked to withdraw, Mr Pie said: “If the Government doesn't grant a Royal Commission to inquire into this thing, then the Government will come at anything.” He was then suspended for two hours. • - ~ Mr Collins and Mr Pie clashed when they were returning to the Chamber. Witnesses said that Mr Collins spoke to Mr Pie, who replied. Mr Collins immediately rushed across the room and struck Mr Pie in the mouth. Mr Pie, who is a former ; amateur boxer, knocked him to the floor, where Mr Collins grasped Mr Pie’s legs. In the melee, parliamentarians, police, and staff struggled in the hallway to keep the men apart. Ministers and prominent Opposition members were heard to utter threats to fight 63. ch other. On Mr Pie’s return to the Chamber with a cut lip, Mr Nicklin called upon the Speaker to deal with the Minister. Earlier in the debate, Mr J. F. Barnes (Independent) was suspended for the remainder .of the session. Known as the “Bundaberg Bombshell,” he has now been suspended nine times since 1941. . Three years ago he gained a verdict before the Full Court for wrongful ejection by the police from Parliament. On being suspended this time,, he walked out, saying: “ Good-bye, skunks. Good-bye, Mr Speaker."