Scene in the Commons

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 27, 26 July 1911, Page 5

Scene in the Commons

By Cabla—Pre*a Aasoaaiiim—Capyiigkt Received 25, B.4ft p.nc London, July 25. \ When the House of Commons assembled it was evident that the atmosphere was electric. There was a general hubbub while questions were being asked.. The galleries were crowded. Many peers, diplomatists and Commoners were unable to find seats, which were filled t* the gangways. Many stood at the bar.

Mr. Redmond was greeted with ironical Unionist cheering. A few minutes later Mr. Asquith entered. The Liberals, Radicals, Redmondites and Laborites instantly rose and jpaved their order papers and cheered. The Opposition counter cheered, and there were cries of "Traitor!" This demonstration had been carefully prepared, being generally paragraphed in the newspapers. It was evident that the later disturbances were due to a number of Tories determining upon a counter demonstration. When Mr. Asquith rose to make a statement he was greeted by cries of 'Tatrick Ford!" causing fierce Liberal protests and cries of "Order!" The Speaker called upon members to .exercise their self-control and observe the ordinary courtesies of debate. Lord Hugh Cecil, sitting on the corner of the front bench below the gangway, shouted: ''This is not an ordinary occasion!" Mr. Asquith again rose. A group of Tories, favoring the fighting policy, headed by Lord Cecil and others, cried "Traitor! traitor!" Mr. Asquith faced the House and tried to speak. Every time he opened his lips he was greeted with the word "Traitor!" and cries of "Patrick Ford!" "We will hear Redmond first!" The Liberals counter cheered. Other Unionists pointed to Mr. Redmond and called upon him to address the House. When the rowdyism was at its height Mr. Crooks shouted derisively from the Labor benches: "The British aristocracy —Patrick O'Brien. Blue blood will tell for twenty minutes!" Mr. Asquith continually advanced to his table, but resumed his seat. The Speaker again and again sought to restore order. Mr. F. Smith passionately declared that the Prime Minister had degraded the political life of the country. Lord Hugh Cecil shouted: "Asquith, you are totally unworthy of your position!"

The Speaker pointed out that the Opposition was in a minority, and therefore should he more concerned about maintaining the freedom of discussion. He appealed to the House to be worthy of its high traditions. Mr. Asquith's rising resulted in pandemonium unequalled since the Parnell episode. The Tlouse was at such a pitch of excitement that an exchange of blows seemed imminent, Mr. Churchill continually throwing excited ejaculations towards the Unionists from his Bench. Mr. Asquith seemed desirous of relinquishing the attempt to be heard, but his colleagues persuaded him to continue.

Finally Mr. Asquith was able to make some progress. He recited the history of the Bill, and recalled the resolutions of February, 1010, but his statement that, but for the death of King Edward the Bill would have been passed in 1910, aroused an instant storm of angry cries of "Leave the King out of it!" "Who killed the King?" Henceforth the speech wa.s punctuated with derisive and angry cries, until Mr. Asquith folded his notes and cried "I am not going to degrade myself by attempting to address members who will obviously not listen to me. I merely declare that if the Lords will not accept the Bill with, if they like, reasonable amendments, the Government will be compelled to invoke the Royal prerogative." The Prime Minister resumed his seat. and the Liberals cheered enthusiastically, waving papers and hats for sev-

era! minutes. Mr. Balfour, who was heard in comparative silence, frankly regretted that Mr. Asquith had not been listened to, but the subject could not fail to excite passion.

There were loud Unionist cheers when Mr. Balfour recalled the fact that Mr. Churchill was the ringleader of the disturbances in 1905 whereby Mr. Lyttelton was kept standing at the time an hour unable to speak. "ABSOLUTE DICTATOR." A CRUEL TRIAL TO THE SOVEREIGN. MR. BALFOUR'S HOT WORDS. Received 25, 11.10 p.m. London, July 25. Mr. Balfour quoted the Radical newspapers showing that Mr. Asquith secured pledges from the King before the general elections. He said if this was bo

The Passing of the Lords' Power. Unparalleled Pandemonium. The Prime Minister Howled Down. The Sitting Suspended. "Who Killed King Edward!"

Mr.- Asquith incurred censure by forging a bank cheque from the Sovereign and had arrogated powers that no republican dictator would possess. A Liberal member interjected: '"Then you've been had!" Mr. Balfour replied: "True, if the member means that it never entered my head that a Minister of the Crown couldgive such advice."

The Premier had asked them to discuss the Bill, knowing all the time they were not free agents. But he had advised the Sovereign to make him "absolute dictator."

Mr. Asquith responded: "I was going to give reasoned argument for the grounds of my advice, but am not allowed."

Mr. Balfour admitted this, and believed that Mr. Asquith's action was due to the consciousness' That it had been a cruel trial to the Sovereign, and had introduced discord to the Coronation ceremonies. He concluded that the real heroes of the campaign were the Irishmen. Their decrees had been pbsequiously obeyed. Sir E. Grey protested at the Opposition's refusal to hear Mr. Asquith, and moved the adjournment. ONE AND A HALF HOURS OF DISORDER. SPEAKER SUSPENDS THE SITTING. GENERAL CONFUSION AND SITOUT- '•■ ING. Received 26, 1 a.m. London, July 25.

Ministerialists wrathfully shouted Mr. Smith down, until the Speaker, after ninety minutes of disorder, rose and exorcised the right vested in him during cases of grave disorder, and suspended the sitting. ] No similar suspension has been or- I dcred within the memory of living man. There were renewed demonstrations later. Members excitedly surged ou i the floor of the House, and there was ! general confusion and shouting until the chamber was cleared. THE KING AND POLITICAL LEADERS. A MEETING POSTPONED. Received 25, 11.40 p.m. London, July 25. The King has postponed his departure for Goodwood. He received Mr. Baifour and Lord Lansdowne in audience, and discussed the political situation. Subsequently he gave audience to Mr. Asquith, prior to the meeting of the House of Commons. Owing to unexpected developments Mr. Balfour postponed his city meeting.