ANTI-GAMBLING CRUSADE

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 31

ANTI-GAMBLING CRUSADE

AT IHE BAR OF i'HE HOUSE.

MELBOURNE, July 31.

Numbers of churches and other bodies have parsed resolutions supporting the Rev. Mr Worrall in his indictment against the Government in connection with the Fk-mington racecourse fatality. Some hundreds propose to accompany him by special tiain to Melbourne. The Government has ordered 200 police to be present at Parliament Hou*e, in expectation of a big demonstration.

The departure from Bendigo of a special train convoying the Rev. Mr Worrall and some 300 of his supporters was the occasion of a, remarkable demonstration. The streets were lined with spectators, and business for tho time was practically suspended. Tho Rev. Mr Worrall was escorted by the members of his church, carrying a* flag bearing the words "Hold the Fort," marched to the station, where several thousands of people had congregated. Appropriate hymns were sung, and prayers were offered in the train, the scene being one of great enthusiasm. Similar scenes occurred at many stations en route to Melbourne, and a crowd numbering several thousands awaited the arrival of the train in the city.

The crowd greeted the Rev. Mr Worrall ■with checiing and the singing of '" Onwaid, Christian Folfhers."' At Mr Worrall's rcqii'at, thae'wa 5 - no demonstration m the

streets, and Mr Worrall drove quietly away in a cab. On his arrival at Parliament House, where a strong force of police was in attendance, another big crowd gave him an ovation.

Appearing at the bar of the House, Mr Worrall, in reply to the Speaker, admitted making the statements "which h% was charged with making, and read a lengthy document supporting them. Mr Bent (the Premier) moved — "That Mr Worrall had been guilty of a breach of privilege by uttering a fake, nn« Christian, and malicious libel upon the members of the House, and that he be severely censured." A lively debate is proceeding.

August 1<-

The Eev. Mr Worrall, at the Bar of th« State Parliament, explaining the statements in hia offending sermon, said that he did not mean that members of Parliament by actual physical contact caused tbo death of M'Leod- or any other victim of tirovice of gambling ; but if they had done their moral and official duty to Parliament by the laws in their possession or the -introduction of legislation as the circumstances, times, and voice of the people demanded, the tragedy would nob have occurred.

Mr Worrall having withdrawn, a warm debate followed. The personal remarks of Mr Bent and one or two others in reference to Mr Worrali nearly caused several scenes.

On the motion of Mr Bent, the word " malicious " was struck out of the condemnatory motion, which was tuen carried by 36 to 26, as follows :—" That Mr Worrall wa6 guilty of a breach of privilege in uttering a false and un-Cliristian libel upon members of the House, and tha* he should be aeverely censured." Mr Worrall was recalled, and the Speaker, having admonished him, 6aid he trusted the admonition would have the effect of warning other reckless speakers to be more careful in their language when speaking of public men.

August 6.

A pastoral letter was read in all the Anglican churches yesterday urging members to refrain from gambling in every form, inclnding raffles at bazaars. A further step was taken in providing Rnti•gambling pledges, which members were invited $o sign.

The Rev. H. Worrall preached at tho Golden Square Methodist Church on the siibjeet " Who Slaughtered the Body and Murdered the Sou" of Donald M'Leod, Bookmaker?" "There are men," the speaker said, " sitting in our Houses of Parliament on whose heads will *est his blood. There are mori' who have a title to their names, but who should not be our representatives. Sir Samuel Gillott stands on high authority, and I impeach that man to-night, in God's name, with the blood that has been flowing from the wounds of gamblers. I impeach him with the responsibility of the evils that are round about us. It is nonsense for him to pretend to be powerless to stop the scourge which is creating around us a, very Gethsemane of woe and trouble."