THE PREMIER'S LAUGH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7293, 4 January 1902, Page 4

THE PREMIER'S LAUGH.

♦ A PARLIAMENTARY TRAGEDY, Federal members are talking in hushed whispers of a tragedy that recently took place in the refresnment room® of the Commonwealth Parliament. It seems (says an Australian contemporary) that Mr Peacock, the Victorian State Premier, had entered while members were having a meal. Immediately afterwards he shattered the air with that illustrious laugh of his. Mr Hughes, of New South Wales, 'has an ineradicable objection to the laugh. Being hard of 'hearing, he knows of it only when it bursts upon ihim like, a thunderclap, and runs along his nerves like a file. Mr Barnford, of Queensland, has also a deep-rooted aversion to the sam© exhibition of hilarity. Said Mr Hughes to him, "If Peacock starts that laugh again I'll break a plalte." "All right," remarked Mr, Bamford, "I'll do the same." In a couple of minutes a laugh shook the room again. Mr Hugheis laid (bold! of a plate ana threw it on the floor i with a violent smash. Mr Bamford followed suit. Then ither c was a lull. A few minutes later the laugh crashed through the room again. Mr Hughes threw another .plate on the floor even more viciously than ■he had (the first. Mr Bamford' threw one also.' i All the diners were staggered by the riot. Ths waiters looked' on astounded', but dared say nothing. The rapidity with : which tOi© plates succeeded the laugh convinced Mr Peacock that the incidents were associated). His nest outburst was a mild affair in comparison with the other two. To mark its diminution in strength and volume Mr Hughes broke only a saucer, and Mr Bamifo-rd remained- an innocent spectator. Mr Peacock was by this time satisfied! that the crockery breaking had a direct and pointed! reference to himself. He went away and complained to Mr Barton that he had been grossly insulted by two Federal members, but by Mr Hughes in particular, and' that if Mr Hughes did not apologise he would never visit {'he building again. The Federal Government, the Speaker, and the President are now apprehensive that Mr Peacock will not sign the lease of it-he Parliament Buildings. They have all urged Mr Hughes to apologise. Mr Hughes declines to. Mr Peacock passes Parliament Buildings on the other side of Spring Street.