You Cowered

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7295, 26 August 1893, Page 3

You Cowered

) An exciting scene occurred in the Victorian Assembly early this month through Mr Shiela, j in attacking the Gov(rnm“-’'t, using a word I which was mistaken for another of very nearly I the same sound. Mr Patterson had thrown in some jeering interruptions " I feel crushed,” “ That is pumped out.” and Mr Shiela cried > out vehemently Your poltroons! You l cowerec • —Huoi’dcr immediately arose and stopped him. A report of the scone pro* oeeOs : - The Chairman pointed out that so far the debate had been conducted in quietness, and he hoped it would continue so. Did the hon. member mean to i'nply that the Premier was a coward ? (Dieoruer and cries of Chair) He trusted the ex-Premier would set a good example and would withdraw the expression, he had applied to the Premier. (Hear, hear, and Withdraw !) Mr Shiela : I applied the epithet, as a verb, to the Government. I repeat what I said, and you shall pass judgment on it. (Disorder, and Withdraw.) I applied it to the Govern* ment. (Loud cries of No ! and interruption.) II said “Poltroons that you were—(So 1 and uproar)—yon cowered ” —(renewed uproar.) Will you hear the remark ? I said “ Poltroons that were, you cowered before the first blast of public opinion." (So and Withdraw ) “ You have mistaken the word.” Mr Gj Turner pointed out that there were two phonetically similar words, the noun “coward " and the verb “cowered ” (Interruption.) The words ae be beard thorn, and ho was listening attentively, were “ You poltroons, you cowered before —--” and the hon gentleman was evidently going on to say “ before public opinion.” (No, no.) Mr M’lntyre : That is special pleading. Mr G. Turner saw from the feeling that arose that the committee evidently misunderstood the remark. Mr Pasierson : In accepting the qualifies tion of the hon. member for St. Hilda, I want to know whether an boo. member can address any part of the House and say “ You cowards, you poltroons” (Hear, hear) It will not be permitted in this House, and therefore, whether tbo term was applied to mo individually or to the Government collectively, you will be called on to withdraw it and apologise. (Cheers ) So long as I am in this position I intend to sea that the business of this House is conducted ia a decent and proper manner. (Cheers.) Wo will not sit hero and be called cowards, neither inside the House nor outside of it. (Cheers.) Mr M’Lellan said the Parliamentary law on tbo matter was that if the hon member for Normanby assured tho Houso he did not intend to use the offensive words in on offensive sense the House would be open to believe him. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Mr Sbieis : 1 said distinctly that I used , tho verb, and I give the House the assurance | that what I said was, “ You cowered before and then a storm arose from that side 1 of tho House J

Mr M’lntyre : But you will withdraw what you said ? Mr Shiels : I will not withdraw what I did not say. Sir Bryan O'Loghlen thought that even if it were ns the bon. member stated, it was an offensive expression. He knew the verb “cowered,” but he did not know a verb “ poltroon ” The chairman said the appiica’ion of the word poltroon to any members, individually or collectively, was not allowable. It was substantially the same as “ coward,” and was out of order. He would be sorry to see the course of this well-conducted debate marred by an unpleasantness, and trusted the hon. member would withdraw. (Hear, hear.) Mr Shiels ; I cannot withdraw what I did not eay I did apply the word “ poltroon,” which I withdraw. (Hear, hear.) But when I am asked to withdraw “ coward," I cannot, for I said “cowered.” (Laughter) No doubt hon. members thought I used the word “coward,” but I did not. The chairman : Tbo hon. member has withdrawn the word “ poltroon,” and assured the House that be did not use the word “ coward.”