AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 152, 23 December 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS

AX OFFICIOUS SPEAKER. MAKES HIS AIT 1101! IT Y FELT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, Sydney, December 22. The relations between the Government and the Speaker are becoming strained. Recently Mr. Willis took upon himself to suspend Mr. Robinson, chief of the Hansard staff, for alleged insubordination, and applied to the Government for an endorsement of this. Mr. McGoivcn, however, refused, replying that the Speaker was unable to suspend iui officer without the concurrence of the President of the Legislative Council. A large amount of correspondence between the heads of the two Houses on the subject has been made public. It shows tlwt the President regarded Mr. Robinson as a faithful and competent oHiccr. Mr. Willis also heavily fined two Parliamentary messengers for alleged inMilHirdination. His authority is being questioned by the press. SOI'TH AUSTRALIAN DEADLOCK. Adelaide, December i'l. There is a political crisis in connection with the Appropriation Bill, the Council declining to pass items for the lioveinmeiit brick, timber and firewood yards, on the ground that they should be included in a special Bill. The Houses met in conference, but were unable to agree. A general election is regarded as unavoidable.