THE WILLIS REGIME.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 5

THE WILLIS REGIME.

AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, RESIGNATION PROSPECTS. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Sydney, Novomber 21. In his conflict with the Speaker in the Legislative Assembly yesterday, tho Premier, Mr. M'Gowcn, repeatedly attempted to check Mr. Willis under various Standing Orders, but each time tho Speaker frustrated the attempt, finally stating that the only way out was to rescind the pre? vious night's motion, for which seven days' notice was required. He told Mr. M'Gowcn that they might suspend all Standing Orders and tho Speaker could then udjourn the Houso till after Christmas. Mr. Holman, Attorney-General, next tried to move a motion, but Mr. Willis snuffed him out, informing him that he was too late. Having whipped tho. House in, Mr. Willis calmly ordered members to proceed to tho business on the paper. Tho order was ignored, and the Speaker then consented to allow the dissent motion to tako'precedence to-day. The remarkable scene ended in general excitement and prolonged cheering. Mr. Holman subsequently stated that he expected tho motion dissenting.from the Speaker's ruling to be carried. In that case tho House would proceed to business. Mr. Wood has announced that the Opposition will support the Government in any reasonable action taken to end an intolerable situation, regardless of party considerations. The papers discuss the question whether Mr. Willis will resign. Tho "Herald" says: "No one can tell what may happen. The House may again adjourn without a settlement of the serious crisis, but so far as the mind and temper of members is concerned, Mr. Willis is no longer the Speaker. It has been definitely decided that he must be deposed." The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The Government apparently expects Mr. Willis to bow to the will, of tho House and accept the position with a few pompous platitudes. Should he resign, the Government is prepared to nominate a successor." RESIGNATION THREATENED. STILL SUPPORTED BY THE PREMIER. (Rec. November 21, 9.40 p.m.) Sydney, November 21. The Legislative Assembly was crowded this afternoon to witness the sequel to yesterday's incidents, and the proceedings were opened amid a buzz of excitement. Mr. M'Gowen moved that the House dissent from tho Speaker's ruling on the motion by the Premier that Mr. Moxham's apology bo acoepted. Mr. Holman seconded the motion. Neither he nor the Premier made a speech, Mr. M'Gowen contenting himself by expressing a regret that' he had to move such a motion. ■ Mr. Levien; the oldest member of the Assembly, said that whatever impulse hod prompted tho Speaker in .deciding that Mr. Moxham's apolgy was insufficient, nothing could justify him in thinking members should crawl to him on their stomachs in a manner which would humiliate and disgrace them in the eyes of the people. It was the duty of every member to voto the Speaker clean- out Of office. Mr. Willia said: "If this motion is one of want of confidence in tho Speaker, then notico has not been, given, and must bB given. If this motion is carried, if the House has no confidence in me, if the House wishes me to resign, I shall do so, but I call on the Premier as an honourable man to table a motion, to be heard to-morrow. I hold to the traditions of my position, and demand the ono day's notice." Mr. M'Go.ven said the motion was not ono of want of confidence in the Speaker, but he considered the Speaker had mado a mistake. The Government did not intend to carry on unless ' it ruled tho House. The motion was carried on the voices, with one dissentient. The Premier then moved that Mr. Moxham's apology be accepted as satisfactory. , , This was carried unanimously, End the House then proceeded to the ordinary business. MR. WILLIS INTERVIEWS HIMSELF. INTERESTING DOCUMENT. The following item from the "Sydney Morning Herald" of November 14, gives a curious insight into the mental processes of Mr. AVillis :— Mr. Willis- 'yesterday supplied the following account of an interview with himself, headed: "An Interview with Mr. Speaker":— ; Mr. Willis, have yon seen tho headlines in the press: "A Friend of Mr. Willis— Who is Mr. Bradley?" Mr. Bradley is a senior deteotive, an officer of tho Public Service—a gentleman worthy of the highest traditions of the Diplomatic Service of England. Seeing that I am tho Speaker of the Assembly in the greatest State of the Union, it is not to be wondered at that thero is respect for my office in high places. I have been subjected to insult in public thoroughfares; I have been threatened in most scoundrelly languago by well-known and unknown persons by letter. I am sure citizens will, therefore, be relieved to know that the InspectorGeneral of Polico has in his own. sound judgment detailed an attache of Mr. Bradley's discretion to carry out official instructions. But, Mr. Willis, what about the messengers ? _ Tho management of this department is in my hands, and I alone am responsible for tho good conduct of employees. With regard to the speculations of newspaper men, I may say that I think it wonderful, how "breezy and newsy" they keep their.daily newsletter,. THE SPEAKER'S DIGNITY. ■MR. WJLLTS AND "SOCIAL AMENITIES." - At tho instance of Mr. Willis a commitm j l "* 9 ™c?irtl.V. set up by the New South Wales Parliament to consider proposals for the improvement of Parliament Houso. Mr. Willis was asked to attend and give evidence, but instead ho attended with his secretary and after handing in a statement walked out of the room leaving word with the Premier that the secretary would read the document. Much offenoo was given by this procedure, and ono member of the committee refused to take further part in the proceedings. The following recommendations wero included in this statement: "That the Speaker should lie installed at Richmond House with a suito of rooms, suitably appointed in keeping with the prestige and dignity of his office—tho books that are there in store to bo placed in dry and well-lighted archives. "Ministers to bo provided with separate rooms adjoining tho Legislative Assembly, where sleeping accommodation can be im- . provispd as at present. "Members to have accommodation befitting tho elevated station thev enjoy. "Hansard staff to have a long-felt want fully satisfied, and thereby remove tho apparent neglect that has overshadowed their quarters. "Attendants to bo housed in a dormitory, in addition to their kitchen quarters, which will bring them close to their work, and add to tlicir usefulness in tho service." Concerning the Speaker's rooms, Mr. Willis wrote: "Tho suite of rooms set apart for the convenience of the Sneaker is not commodious, or in Vcoping with the importance of his office. The dinin?-ronm is small and cramped, and totally inadequate for the Speaker's social amenities, which, in his position, should be maintained. I would, direct attention to the , fast that in England &) rooms are set

apart for Mr. Speaker. The Scrgeant-at-Arms has 24 rooms for Iris use, tllo Clerk of the- Houso and tho Clerk Assistant, moreover, aro provided with 23 and 2H rooms respectively. State Parliaments havo made suitablo accommodation for the official head of tho People's House, which, in nil cases, dwarf into insignificance tho fnrnishings an<T appointments which arc here used by the Speaker. Tho rearrangement of offices upon the main building, together with the addition of Richmond House as an annex, will provide all tho requirements of tho Speaker and tho Ministers. But members and the staff of attendants, also tho Hansard staff, should h& suitably accommodated in a new building. It is 'proposed that the democratic party should bo suitably and conveniently established in the Speaker's rooms. In short, Mr. Speaker would retain on tho ground floor the small library as a retiring room, the official reception room would bo located and fitted up suitably in Eichmond House, in which building a commodious and well-lighted dining-room would be available- for the social duties that devolve upon his office."