MR. WILLIS AGAIN.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 7

MR. WILLIS AGAIN.

$ PARLIAMENT AND THE "BACKWASH OF SOCIETY." A remarkable document was issued last week by Mr. Henry Willis, Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, who, it will \be remembered, figured largely in the public eye last year. Mr. Willis had dismissed some messengers attached ■to the Parliament House staff, and on some comment appearing in the newspapers, handed out a minute, in the course of which ho said: —

"The Parliament House is overmanned in several departments. During my tenure of offico three drunken men have been discharged, and the places have been filled by transferring steady, young, respectful men as niesseiigeds from . lower grades. Several cleaners' refused billets as night watchmen and bathroom attendants. One outdoor man refused work, and escaped dismissal by applying to the clerk of the 'Joint Control.

"Rules for keepiug the party rooms free from the backwash of society, who roll into the premises after hotels are closed, have been disgracefully violated, while discipline is laughed at by messengers pacing the corridors confiding with members, whom they address by their Christian names. • The most daring inebriate about the place is bold and rude to visitors who come, to tho galleries to follow the debates.

"Notwithstanding tlio incorrigible conduct of these old offenders, they have been able to enlist intercession to prevent dismissal. Now, however, there is not enough work to go round to keep fifteen well-paid men employed. Amongst tho retired workmen several well-conducted men are leaving the employ. ,

"I believe members of Parliament expect the Speaker to nt all times piotect them from the attentions of house servants who are expensively intosicate.'l."