AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143674, 19 December 1911, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

A DISGRACEFUL SCENE. THE SPEAKER MOBBED. (Received Dec. 19, 10.55 a.m.) By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 19. In tho Assembly, when'Mr. Wade had left the Chamber, the Oppositiomsts gathered round the Speaker’s chair and hooted him and shouted uncomplimentary remarks. The Speaker tried to call the Sergeant-at-arms, but was unable to make his voice hoard above the din. The Minister of Minos gave a hand and assisted him from the chair and escorted him from the Chamber. The Oppositionists then gathered in the lobby. Several had their coats off, and a free light seemed imminent. Ad were wildly excited. A solid phalanx of Ministerialists, however, escorted Mr. illis in safety io his room. The Premier played a prominent part in preventing violence. He coolly pushed his wav to the front and forced quarredens apart by the exercise of his great physical powers.

SYDNEY, Dec. 18. The Assembly lias ended its stormy session with a stormy scone. At tho conclusion of business Mr. M'Gowon, the Premier, wished the members the seasonal compliments and hoped they would “let bygones be bygones.” Mr. YVado, replying, said it was all very well to do as Air. APGowen said, but they could not forget the degradation to which they had been subjected during the past three months. The Speaker called Air. YVado to order twice. Thereupon Air. YVado left the House, several members of the Opposition following and making an angry demonstration against the Speaker, wlm immediately adjourned the House to February 17. Passing through the lobbies the Speaker was iiootcd and jeered, and cheers were given for “liberty. ’’ There was high excitement. In tho Legislative Council the Tiicon e Tax Bill was passed. THE PACIFIC CABLE. (Received Dee. 19, 10.55 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 19. In tile Federal House of Representatives Air. Frazer introduced a Bill to authorise the Pacific Cable Board to construct a cable from Australia to New Zealand, He said tho matter only rested with Australia for complete authorisation. It was a matter of urgency, the duplication being necessary to obviate delays and breakdowns. Air. Fisher said ho had heard that something was being done in connection with tho State-owned Atlantic cable, which might bo expected, but the Commonwealth was in tho hands of the British Government in the matter. The Bill was passed through all stages. INCOME-TAX BILL. (Received Dee. 19, 11.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dee. 19. The legislative Council passed the Income Tax Bill, which tho Government stated would shortly bo repealed and introduced in different form. The House adjourned til February.