PRESS AND PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 90, 2 September 1912, Page 5

PRESS AND PARLIAMENT.

"OVER THE LIMIT." PUBLIC INDIGNATION. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Sydney. August 3i. Mr. Willis absorbs attention. It is the almost unanimous opinion of the press and public tint his list move passed the limit, and that if the Government persiols in upholding him, it will iind trouble. Mr. McGowen, after last nights Cabinet meeting, informed press interviewers that the matter had been discussed, but that he was nd prepared to say anything. Perhaps he would make a statement to-day. Pressed as to whether he had formed an opinion of the Speaker's action, he said that he had reached a very decided opinion, but would not say what it was. Both morning papers have further strong leaders of protest. T.ie Telegraph concludes: "The Speaker has already successfully dictated to the Minister in charge of Government business, and now, like Alexander, seeking new ■worlds to conquer, he has gone outside and sought to play the dictator in a newspaper otTice. Matters having arrived at that reductio ail absurdum, what does Parliament mean to do?" The Herald says: "It is notorious that ■under Mr. Willi's Parliament gains the reputation of being the worst in the history of this State. We cannot believe that even the exigencies of party will prevent the leaders 01 either side coming to an agreement for a change for the remainder of the life of Parliament. The resources of civilisation are still equal to abating the nuisance." Mr. McXab. late Minister in the Ward Cabinet in New Zealand, in an interview. said there was no analogy between Mr. Willis' and Xew Zealand cases. During his experience in Xew Zealand never was such a thing even suggested as endeavoring to shut out representatives of a particular newspaper. In every case where a man had been shut out it had been owing to a personal offence by the individual. Newspapers in the other States add their quota of caustic comments on Mr. Willis' assumption of the dictatorship. A CONSPIRACY OF SILEXCE. THE SPEAKER IXTERVIEWED. Received 2. 1.10 a.m. Sydney, September 1. Mr. McGowen refuses to discuss the Willis incident. He will confer with Mr. Willis to-morrow. Mr. Willis, interviewed, repeated the •tatements contained in his memorandum. The Telegraph had been guilty of contempt and wilfully misrepresenting what took place in the House, and had incited members to disorder by commending a suspended member for his bad conduct. Asked whether the complaint referred to actual reports or to leading articles, Mi. Willis did not reply definitely. In a second interview he remarked that he could only recognise the Telegraph as one publication, controlled by one editor. He declared that an assurance that the writers on the Telegraph will respect the authority of Parliament should be forthcoming, failing which their c-xelusion must continue.