POOR WILLIS!

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 11 January 1912, Page 8

POOR WILLIS!

AN OPPOSITION STATEMENT,

A POLITICAL PROBLEM

Mr. J. C. L. Fitzpatrick, M.L.A., who is a member c.f the New Soiitn Wales Totalisator Commission, ami who has for sixteen years been a prominent member of the New South Wales State Opposition, had something interesting to say this morning concerning the case of Mr. Willis, Speaker of the New South Whiles State Parliament. 1 The “Auckland Star” leader last evening Mr. Fitzpatrick considers to he a very fanrepresentation of the position. Then were one or two points, however, which he was desirous of making clear. Mr. Willis, he said, had, previous to accepting the Speakership, been a member of the Opposition. He had attended Opposition meetings rigid up to tiio night prior to accepting tli ■> position, but had not consulted the header of the Opposition, though he knew that several other members of the party had been offered the Speakership, and refused with contumely. Mr. Willis’ appointment as Speaker was proposed by two members on the Government sde of the House, and the Opposition on that occasion set up a lengthy debate, alleging that Mr. Willis had been a traitor to Ids party and to those responsible for Ids election. While the Opposition was still anxious to discuss the position, and to propose the election of another member of the House, Mr. Wdbs vaS bustled into the chair, ami declared elected amidst great disorder. From that time onward liberty of speech was refused the members of the Opposition. Government members could do as they liked, but any _ Opposition member showing any indignation at the Speaker’s ruling was immediately removed by the Sergeant-at-Arms, and if the Opposition .members resented the Speaker’s action as a body, the police were called in._ This course was followed by Mr. Willis throughout the session. On one occasion the Opposition met, and decided to submit to the Speakership. That same afternoon Mr. Willis was so despotic in his actions that eleven members of the Opposition were removed by the police 1 . Mr. Willis had said that his appointment was the result of a contract wit.i the Government. Apparently the only contract was that he should leave the chair at 11.30 each evening. With the general summing-up of the position i i the “Star's” leader Mr. Fitzpatrick agrees, but lie docs not think the “Star” correct in saying that there is no constitutional method of removing him. Section 37 of the Constitution Act provides that the Speaker shall he elected at the opening of each new Parliament, and that it shall be possible for him to be removed by a vote of the House. The Government has now signified its desire to he rid of Mr. Willis, but judging by past experiences Mr. Fitzpatrick is of the opinion that Mr. Willis may set up an objection, and refuse to accept any motion bearing on the subject which the Premier might move. Such being' the case, the position is a decidedly interesting one. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s own experiences in what New Zealanders have come to regard as “the political bear garden” are interesting. In sixteen years he only once had a difference with the Speaker, but in the last three months has been removed from the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms no less than fifteen times.