PRESS AND PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 95, 7 September 1912, Page 5

PRESS AND PARLIAMENT.

TIIK WILLIS INCIDENT. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Sydney, September o.' In the course of the debate on Mr. Holmaivs motion, Mr. Waddell said that his experience was that the great dailies, whatever their political opinions, generally gave everybody a fair deal. The Telegraph did noble work for the country. and. with its morning contemporary, exercised a better influence than ai' the rest of the literature that was read. Mr. Wood pointed out that this wasthe third occasion on which the present Government had interfered with the Speaker's powers. The proposal meant that the Speaker could, with the consent of the House, place himself in opposition to the House. ' Mr. Cohen was unable to follow the argument that the Press had no right to lie in the gallery. The custom had been operating for 200 years, and was an established custom just as strong as law. Other members urged that the proposal would not improve matters. Mr. Griffith's amendment was adopted, inserting at the commencement of the quotation the words: "Representatives of registered newspapers shall be admitted to the press gallery during sittings." Mr. Ilolinan, replying to the contention that the motion was unnecessary, because the power existed, said that the standing orders did not confer the power. They were only the manifestation of the power which al ways existed in the House. They did not want a full debate when a newspaper desired to enter the House. What they desired was a standing order applicable to all cases. At present the press was not recognised in the House. Any right they possessed was based on custom, which was very precarious, and might have changed at any time. They wanted the House to say that the Press had a right to be present, instead of depending on custom and the Speaker's favor. Mr. Holman's motion, as amended, was carried by 37 to 30. MORE AUTOCRACY. Sydney, September fl. Dhile Mr. Cusack was speaking in the Hou*e and quoting extracts, Mr. Wood, member for Bega, rose to a point of order. Speaker Willis said that Mr. Wood wac making a speech. Mr. Wood objected to that statement, and Mr. AA illis ordered Air. Wood to be seated, and characterised him as disorderly. Mr. Wood said he declined to be called disorerly. when he wa3 not disorderly. Mr. Willis ordered Mr. Wood's removal. When the -ergeant touched Air. Wood's arm, he exclaimed. "I yo in deference to the House, but this won't continue for ever." He remained standing for a few lnomenland declared. "Don't'think you are going to use force."' Air. AYillis ordered the »eu'ranl to summon the police to remove Mr? AYood, but the latter departed quietly. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 1/6, 2/ft