26 DECEMBER 1908, Page 2

Mr. Morton's amendment received the support of some of the

Labour Members, including Mr. Thorne and Mr. Crooks, on the ground that the Bill dealt a heavy blow at the expression of political opinion. Mr. Crooks declared that all the salt of public meetings was in the interjections, and provoked loud laughter by recalling a retort of Mr. John Burns at a turbulent meeting when some one shouted: "Let us throw him into the Thames." "The right hon. gentleman simply jumped up and said : 'No, I am responsible for the purity of that river.' Under this Bill he could not have got that off." On the other hand, the Bill was supported by Mr. Ward, Mr. Vivian, and Mr. Maddison, and Mr. Morton's amendment having been rejected by 61 votes to 21, Clause L as amended by the Peers was carried by 61 votes to 13.