MR. WILLIS'S POWER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 7

MR. WILLIS'S POWER.

A CURB PROMISEDSTANDING ORDERS TO BE AMENDED. NEW SOUTH WALES IMBROGLIOBy Teleeraph-Press Afisociation-Copyricht Sydney, September 3. The Government has decided on its course of action concerning tho Willis incident. Mr. M'Goweu, the Premier, has mado a statement that, so far as tho Speaker's complaint against the "Daily Telegraph" was based on reports concerning the oxpulsion of Messrs. Cohen and Leader from the House, the Government is entirely in sympathy with him, being unanimously" of opinion that tho report in ((uestion was misleading. "The comments of the leader in the 'Telegraph' were," ho pays, "utterly unsuited to the attitude of a respectable journal towards the head of a deliberati.-e Assembly; but when the Speaker deals with the matter by excluding tho paper's representatives, we hold that ho adopted a wrong remedy. The proper way to deal with this question is ■:by a Privileges Bill, which wo will proceed with shortly. The Government does not favour excluding tho press-particu-larly that section which is hoslilo to the Government policy. If Mr. Willis is unwilling,, as Speaker, to readmit the 'Telegraph' reporters, the Government will so amend the Standing Orders as to bring this question under tho direct control of the House, and then itself move.to readmit them."

Mr. Holman (Attorney-General) explains that the Privileges Bill permits tho .House to authorise the prosecution in the Law Courts of anyone committing a breach of the privileges of Parliament, the prosecution to bo adjudicated upon in tho ordinary tribunals. The "Telegraph," in commenting on the matter, says:—"Mr. M'Gowen has n.ade some concession to the Speaker, but when he says that what appeared in the 'Telegraph' was unworthy of a respectable journal, ho makes a statement as to the foundation of which, in justice and common sense, wo shall trust to the public judgment. The Ministry is to be congratulated on asserting, however , ' tardily, the rights with which no Government should part."

The "Herald" says:—"The temporising note observable in the latest development of the Willis incident only tends to make matters worse. If n paper offends, the necessary power already exists for dealing therewith. Tho Government snys of the present trouble that Mr. Willis is right and wrong. . . . Until tho censure motion is disposed of, nothing will l>B done, and a manifest wrong will be allowed to continue." "THE PUTTY NAPOLEON." ME. WILLIS COMES TO WATERLOO. (Kec. September 3, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, September 3. Despite the Government's announcement regarding Mr. Willis's exclusion 6rder when tho reporters presented themselves at tho Houso to-day, the "Daily Telegraph" representatives, were debarred from entering the press gallery.

On being asked for an explanation, Mr. Willis replied that he had no statement to make.

' When the Speaker took the chair, Sir. Levien asked him what action he intended to take with reference to the exclusion of the press, and whether it was the Government's intention to amend the Standing Orders.

Mr. Willis replied that he had acted strictly in accordance with tho Standing Orders, and until the House gavo further directions he would continue to do so.

Dr. Arthur called attention to tho "Sun's" article referring to the reporters' exclusion, which was headed, "The Pntty Napoleon Comes to Waterloo." He moved that the , editor of the "Sun" be brought to tho Bar of the House.

The Speaker put the question that the Clerk! be allowed to read extracts from the article, but this was negatived on the voices, and the matter dropped.

"THE ONLY PAPER I READ." RESIGNATION DESIRED. (Rec. September 3, 11.15 p.m.) Sydney, September 3. The galleries were crowded and tho House was simmering with good-natured excitement to-day. There was much bantering of Mr. Willis, who was bombarded with questions as to the expulsion of the reporters. Mr. Wade, Leader of tho Opposition, asked if it was a fact that the "Telegraph" reporters were not at their places in the House. Mr. Willis said ho was not personally acquainted with the members of that s-taff. Ho certainly did not see any of those gentlemen here. In reply to Mr. Wade's inquiry if he >iwl withdrawn the order of exclusion, Mr. Willis said he was not answering any questions on that subject fanlay. Mr. Willis's attention was again drawn to tho "Sun" article, and amid loud laughter he said: "The. only paper I read is tho 'Daily Telegraph.'" Mr. Levien gave notice of motion for to-morrow that owing to tho disfavour with which members view the exclusion of the "Telegraph" reporters, tho peace and order of the Houso is likely to Uo seriously disturbed, and that the Houso therefore} desires to intimate to tho Spenker that his retirement from the Spenkerslup would enablo the House to make such arrangements as would guarantee pence and order, and the due recognition of the authority of the Chair.

Mr. Wa<!e then, moved his want of confidence motion regarding the' appointment of Mr. Ncilscn, an c.x-Miuister, as a trade commissioner. He attacked the Government for allowing a member to occupy nn office of profit. This was a technical breach of the law, nnd (in attempt of tho Government to secure ■ the silence of n member who might lie troublesome to the Government. He understood that Mr. Neilsen's pushing of his leasehold policy was dangerous, ami to prevent party divisions the Government had decided to saerilice him by getting; him away to America. . % Mr. Holmnn, Attorney-General, replied that there had been no concealment of Mr. Nielsen's appointment. Why did no! Mr. Wade move, when Mr. Nielsen visited America before? The idea that the Government had to buy Mr. Nielsen's loyalty was gratuitously offensive to him, and unjust to Minister. , ;. He denied, that Mr. Neilsen had accepted an office of profit. Tile Government proposes (n divide before the House rises, and it is anticipated that it will have a majority of about two.