N.S.W. POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1921, Page 5

N.S.W. POLITICS.

THE SPEAKERSHIP. LABOR PARTY’S SOLIDARITY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrlgtt. Sydney, Dec. 21. With the re-establishment of the Dooley Government on the Treasury benches the Speakership question again commanded attention. When the Assembly met on Mr. Hickey’s resignation was read by the clerk, whereupon Sir George Fuller invited volunteers for the chair. Mr. Bagnall, secretary of the Nationalist Party, volunteered as a protest against the coalition of Nationals and Progressives, stating that he would not associate himself with the latter who assassinated the National Party at the elections. Mr. Bagnall received no nomination. The incident has an important bearing on the future life of Parliament, as Mr. Levy, though offering to accept the Speakership only to extricate Parliament from an impasse, may now remain in the chair to keep Mr. Bagnall out. Such action would be an advantage, rather than a disadvantage to the Opposition, which is now in a minority by at least one, with rumors of other defections.

The Labor Party emerges from the reshuffling the least damaged and with its solidarity unimpaired, while the Progressives are seemingly disrupted. Seven members of the latter refused to meet the rest of the party last night and passed a resolution that the Progressive Party is still a separate entity in fact as well as name. Mr. Dooley meets the House to-day, after which a prorogation of two months is likely. FULLER MINISTRY RESIGNS. Sydney, Dec. 20. Sir George Fuller formed a Ministry which was sworn in as follows: Sir George Fuller, Premier, Mr. Wearne, Minister of Lands, Mr. Carruthers, vice-president of the Executive Council, Mr. Oakes, Chief Secretary and Minister of Health, Mr. Henley, Minister of Works, Railways and Housing, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Minister of Mines and Local Government, Mr. Ley, Minister of Education, Labor and Industry, Mr. Cocks, Treasurer. It is understood that Mr. Chaffey will be appointed Minister of Agriculture. When the House met Mr. Levy was elected Speaker and the Ho.use adjourned until later in the day. Seven Progressive members formed a cave, but state that they will support the Government until the dissolution.

In the Assembly,on the motion for an adjournment, -the Coalition Government was defeated, and Sir George resigned. Sir George Fuller, before resigning, reauested a dissolution. The Governor declined, but sent for Mr. Dooley, who was commissioned to re-form a Government. It is understood it will be the same Ministry as before. Sir George Fuller was not defeated on a division but, anticipating defeat, resigned when the Assembly met after the Government had refused to accede to his request for a dissolution. THE NEW MINISTRY. FAVOR ELECTIONS SOON. Received Dec. 21, 9.40 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 2L Mr. Dooley’s Ministry has been sworn in. The only change is that Mr. Kavanagh, who has been acting-’Minister of Labor, takes complete control of that department, and Mr. MdGirr devotes the whole of his time to the administration of health and motherhood. The Assembly sat for one hour. Mr. Bagnall stated* the future would judge the Government’s merits by its legislative proposals, but he would not accept nomination for the Speakership in the event of Mr. Levy resigning. Mr. Dooley, in reply to Sir George Fuller, who asked what business the Government proposed to bring forward, said he would endeavor to make a statement on Thursday. He added that the Government agreed with Sir George Fuller that the elections should be held as soon as practicable. The coalition agreement provides for the maintenance of a separate entity for both party organisations, the allotment of five portfolios to the Progressives if the Coalitionists are returned to power, and a policy of decentralisation to occupy a foremost place on its platform. The term of the coalition is for the life of the forthcoming Parliament. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.