Labour Party, bitterly opposed the
request. The time and circumstances were very serious, but it was highly
amusing to see the expression of surprise which came over Nelson's face
as he questioned the sincerity of any man who opposed the introduction
of a Bill for the Preservation of Peace. The scope of the bill was
generally known to members, and the Opposition by Glassey at this stage,
and the surprise by Nelson were the usual Parliamentary camouflage.

During the passage of the bill through the Assembly, both in the House
and Committee, it was very difficult to control the members on either
side. There were many suspensions of members on the Labour side, who
were, of course, out to oppose the measure. The stormy passage of this
bill, which, when it became law, did Preserve Peace, may be read in
_Hansard_ of the time.

The Government in 1895 organised a Parliamentary tour of North
Queensland to enable many members to see for the first time that country
for which they assumed they were competent to legislate. The tour was
very successfully carried out, and those who were strangers to the
North, realised that they knew only a small corner of Queensland, which,
compared with what they were visiting, was of comparatively less value.
Amongst the 37 requests made to Mr. Tozer (who was Home Secretary) at
Cooktown, was one to erect a statue to Captain Cook. It was pointed out
a monument had been erected to him, but owing to low finances the scheme
was uncompleted. It was thought Captain Cook deserved a monument at
Cooktown; but Mr. Tozer, in reply, stated that he realised that Cooktown
deserved some recognition of the historical fact that Captain Cook's
only lengthy stay in Australia was in the locality, but, he explained,
"The position is this: down in Brisbane we have deputations of
unemployed asking us for bread; now I have come up here, and you have
asked me for a stone." This reply settled the question.

Returning to Townsville and Bowen, the party visited Cid Harbour, in
Whitsunday Passage. At this place there was a camp of timber-getters.
There were two families of women and children who had not tasted meat
since Christmas. It was now April. Two sheep were given from the ship,
and in return we borrowed their fishing net, with which we caught a
beautiful lot of parrot fish. Weighing anchor at mid-day, Captain South
took us through the Molle passage, where, sounding the whistle, one
could hear the echo reverberating a