SPEAKER WILLIS TRIUMPHS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 5

SPEAKER WILLIS TRIUMPHS

DEBATE IN" THE HOfe'SE. INTERCHANGE OF AMENITIES. ' GOVERNMENT TAKES NO ACTION. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, November 22. Tn the course of Levien ' was interrupted by the Speaker, who jointed out that Mr. Levien was inciting his friends to perform physical violence upon the Sppaker. He was quite liable U to be taken clean away to the lock-up. ' Mr. Levien replied that he would be ;• delighted, for .then he would be as big a p' martyr as Mr. Willis himself was, and as notorious in public life. M r - Wood, in announcing that the Opposition would support the Government, no matter what\personal or party Interests,, were involved, said that the Opposition would ever be found supporting the Leader of the House in asserting the rights of the House.

Mr. Willis, in, the 'epurse of his reply, declined to be judged by the standard of his friends. He had consulted an authority, the gentleman who moved the last vote of dissent'in the House of Commons. He was a man standing in the very forefront, and leader of the Nationalist Party. He had said that, ■whether right or wrong, the decision of the chair must be obeyed. Mr. Willis added that he was prepared to go that day. but he would uphold the tradition of his position so long as he was there. Mr. McGowen, in a subsequent speech, pointed out that the Government had, on many occasions, made allowances for Mr. Willis's fallibility, and had loyally Stacked him, bnt he considered that the Speaker had certainly made a misThe Telegraph says it is a complete that if the Government was not going to rule the House, the- sooner it got away from the House the better. To the cry of "Resign/' he replied that the Government would do its business in its own way, because no men, who had graduated, as tbey had, in schools of hardship and tribulation would fear the Consequences when they did what they believed to be right. They would just lake the consequences. At the same time be assured the Speaker that the Government would refuse to carry on legislation or pass supply unless they were thS leaders of the House.

To this, Mr. Willis replied that he Wished the Premier to know that while he said he would' govern the House, he would have to change the standing orders if he wished to govern him, because he was protected bj the House under the standing orders. What he did he would feel" it his duty to do again any day, under similar circumstances. Prior to the debate, Mr. Willis asked that Mr. Moxham be brought to the bar of the House. Mr. Moxham declined, but after the vote he re-entered amid cheers.

Cabinet meets in the morning to discuss the position. In view of the statements of Messrs. Holmand and Griffith that there was no crisis, only a differ- ■ ence of opinion on the question of au- . ihority, which was overcome in the proper constitutional manner, it is considered unlikely that the Government will take further action in regard to Mr. j^TiUia. Both the morning papers have hot leaders attacking the Government's sujpineness in allowing Mr. Willis to triumph, promising trouble when the electors should he acquainted with the situation. The Herald .characterises it as a "put up" job. The Telegraph says it is a complete Sacrifice of dignity and prestige. A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. p Received 22, 9.30 p.m. Sydney, November 22. Xn the Assembly Mr. Wood asked Mr. McGowen what he intended to do to remedy the position arising in view of fche Speaker's statement that he virtu- , ally controlled the business of the House under the standing orders. Mr, McGowen said that he realised that the Government were in a ---?ry > difficult position, but they were prepared to take action to protect the business of 1 the House if necessity arose. Mr. Wood then gave notice of jrnfir'i: .That the House reaffirms its right to make and control, through its members, the business of the House; that, in view of the Speaksr's declaration, Mr. Willis no longer possesses the confidence of the House. The motions will be discussed on MonHay.