N.S.W. POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1921, Page 3

N.S.W. POLITICS.

AN INTERESTING DEVELOPMENT. RESIGNATION OF SPEAKER. By Telegraph.—Tress Assn —Copyright. Sydney, Dec. 8. Ono morning paper announced the resignation of the Speaker. Mr. Levy, in the early editions of the evening paper, emphatically denied this, but promised a statement in the Assembly. The House was crowded and simmering with excitement when Mr. Levy rose and announced that he was resigning the Speakership. He explained that he accepted the position at a time when the Opposition forces were divided, and he desired to save the expense of an appeal to the country. Hence he accepted the nomination of Labor which was the largest party. The Opposition elements and the National and Progressive elements were now a united body for the first time since the meeting of Parliament, and the changed circumstances rendered impossible his vote to maintain in power the party which he was elected to oppose, particularly in view of the contentious legislation contemplated now the Government had been reconstructed since the death of Mr. Storey. Mr. Dooley paid a tribute to Mr. Lexy’s ability in the Speaker’s chair, and hoped no member of the Labor Party would severely criticise the action taken. Sir George Fuller, who had trenchantly censured Mr. Levy when he accepted the Speakership, retracted his criticism, and said that his resignation had convinced members that no promises or preferment had influenced his action when appointed. The leaders of the Progressives and Independents also expressed admiration of his action. The House adjourned till Tuesday. Prioj’ to Mr. Levy’s resignation the Assembly passed in committee a short Bill empowering the health authorities to tighten plague precautions. The resignation of the Speaker (Mr. Levy) has brought a finale to a situation -which has been marked by growing tenseness ever since Sir George Fuller gave notice of his censure motion. Negotiations and hurried conferences amongst the various parties and with the Speaker have been in constant progress. It is understood that though the Nationalists and Progressives w-ill not amalgamate they have pledged themselves to act solidly together in shifting the Labor Government.

It is alleged the Government without avail approached certain members of both the Nationalist and Progressive parties with a view to inducing them to accept the Speakership and thereby save the Government. It is further stated that these negotiations arcstill in progress, though it is not anticipated' they will be successful. As things stand, the Government, failing to secure a Speaker outside its own ranks, will face an adverse motion in a minority. The alternatives confronting Mr. Dooley are to give Sir George Fuller a flhance of forming a Government, which is considered unlikely, or asking for a dissolution. Whatever happens a dissolution at an early date is considered certain. The situation is complicated owing to the fact that only a portion of the estimates have been passed. The political crisis is regarded as the sequel to the municipal elections. There has been an unmistakably growing public feeling that since Mr. Storey's restraining influence was removed the Labor Party, under the domination of the Australian Workers’ Union, has shown an inclination to press legislative action along some lines beyond acceptable bounds. The threatened further large increases in taxation also came as a heavy blow.

The electorate generally would probably welcome a dissolution and appeal to the people.