A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Sturt on 13 November 1908.
In Parliament Griffith asked the Chief Secretary, William Wood various questions including "whether it was a fact that a 'trainload' of police had been sent to Broken Hill".
Later Griffith again sought to have the matter discussed by the House and the Speaker, William McCourt, ruled it out of order, without hearing argument.
Griffith then said "it was unfortunate to be in a minority, and that the Speaker did not give fair play to the Opposition."
[2] Arthur Griffith (Labor) was suspended by the Speaker and chose to resign rather than withdraw his remarks.