AN ARROGANT SPEAKER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 159, 22 November 1912, Page 5

AN ARROGANT SPEAKER.

A DEADLOCK REACHED. "AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION." SPEAKER'S RESIGNATION POSSIBLE. By Oable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 21. Mr. McGowen repeatedly attempted to check Mr. Willis under various standing orders. Each time the Speaker frustrated his efforts, finally stating that the only way out was to rescind the previous night's motion, for which seven days' notice was required. He told Mr. McGowen that he might suspend all the standing orders, and the Speaker might then adjourn the House till after Christmas. Mr, Holman next tried to move a motion, but Mr. Willis snuffed it out, informing Mr. Holman that it was too late. Having whipped the House in, Mr. Willis calmly ordered the members to proceed with the business on the paper. The order was ignored. The Speaker consented to allow the dissent motion to take "precedence today. A remarkable scene ended in general excitement and prolonged cheering. Mr. Holman subsequentlv stated that he expected the dissent motion to be carried. .In that case they would proceed with business. Mr. Wood announced that the Opposition would support the Government in any reasonable action to end the intolerable situation, regardless of party considerations. Both papers discuss whether Mr. Willis will resign. The Herald says that no one can tell what will happen. •_ The House may again adjourn the settlement of the serious crisis, but, so far as the mind and temper of the members are concerned,' Mr. Willis will no longer be Speaker. It has been definitely decided to depose him. The Telegraph says the Government apparently expects Mr. Willis to bow to the will of the House and accept the position with a few pompous platitudes. Should he resign, the Government is prepared to nominate a successor.

THE SPEAKER CENSURED. Received 21, 9.40 p.m. Sydney, November 21. The Assembly this afternoon was crowded, and the proceedings opened amid a buzz of excitement. Mr. McGowen moved that the House dissent from the Speaker's ruling on the mbtion-by the Premier that Mr. Moxham's apology be accepted. Mr. Holman seconded the motion. Neither made a speech, the Premier contenting himself with regretting that he had to move the motion. Mr. Levien, the oldest member in the Bouse, said that whatever impulse prompted the Speaker in deciding that Mr. Moxham's apology was insufficient, nothing could justify" him in thinking that members should crawl to him on their stomachs in a manner which would humiliate and disgrace them in the eyes of the people. It was the duty of every member to voce the Speaker clean out of office.

Mr. Willis said that if this motion was one of want of confidence in the Speaker, then notice had not been given, and it must be given. "If this motion is cartied," he said; ' ; if the House has no confidence in me, and if the House wishes me to resjgn I shall do so, but I call on the Premier as an honorable man to table a motion to be heard to-morrow. I hold to the traditions of my position, and demand the one day's notice.'' Mr. McGowen, said that the motion was not one of want of confidence in the Speaker, but he considered that the Speaker had made a mistake. The Government did not intend to carry on unless it ruled the House. The motion was carried on the voices. with one dissentient.' The Premier moved that Mr. Moxham's apology be accepted as satisfactory.

This was carried unanimously, and the House then proceeded to ordinary business.