BARKING AT WILLIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 50, 23 February 1912, Page 3

BARKING AT WILLIS.

NEW SOUTH WALES SPEAKER’S TROUBLES. FURTHER ARGUMENT. Sydney, February 22. In the Assembly, at the Speaker’s suggestion, Mr Levien agreed to confer With Mr Fitzpatrick, who had also given notice of motion on the Order Paper reflecting on the actions of the Speaker, with a view to combining the motion with one of a more specific character than Mr Levien’s. Mr Wade’s motion, censuring the Government, therefore, was given precedence. Mr Wade, in moving it, strongly attacked the Government for dismissing Mr Robinson, the Hansard leader. In the Assembly Mr Wade argued that the conduct of the Ministers towards Mr Robinson, chief of the Hansard staff, an old and valued servant, was arbitrary and drastic. Commenting on the Royal Commission’s finding, he said the commission had not had the benefit of legal assistance. Probably, if the authorities on the question of joint control had been placed before him the finding would have been modified.

Mr McGowen, Premier, replying, said the Speaker had the power to issue instruction to the chief of the Hansard staff, and it followed therefore he had the power to see them carried out. He contended that Mr Robinson had been absolutely defiant, and had followed a course which, if followed by any of his staff, would have resulted in dismissal.