AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 202, 23 February 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS. By Gabio—Press Association—Copyright Adelaide, February 22. The final election figures for the Assembly are: Liberals 24, Laborites 10; far tiie Council: Liberals 12. Laborites C. CENSURING MR. SPEAKER. AND THE GOVERNMENT. ' Reeeived 22, 11.10 p.m. Sydney, February 22. In the Assembly, at the Speaker's suggestion, Mr. Levien agreed to confer with Mr. Fitzpatriek, 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. Received 22, 11.40 pan. Sydney, February 22. In the Assembly Mr. Wade argued that the conduct of the Ministers towards Mr. Robinsen, chief of the Hansard staff, «B 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 fin-.iing would have been modified. Mr. McGowen, Premier, replying, said Ihe Speaker had the pawer to issue instruction to the chief of the Hansard ■taff, 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 Dy any of his •taff, would hare resulted in dismissal.