SPEAKER WILLIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 22 November 1912, Page 5

SPEAKER WILLIS.

CABLE NEWS

( Unii'ji Press Association—Bv HOltotrie Telegraph—Copyright.)

EXCITEMENT IN THE ASSEMBLY

PREMIER'S MOTION CARRIED

OLDEST MEMBER INDIGNANT.

(Received Last Night, 9.40 o'clock.) SYDNEY, November 21. The Assembly in tho afternoon was crowded, and proceedings wcro opened amid a buzz of excitement. The Hon James MeGowon moved that tho Houso dissent from tho Speaker's ruling on the motion by tho Premier that Mr Moxham's apology bo accepted.

Tho Hon W. A. Hohnan seconded the motion. Neither made a speech, the Premier contenting himself with laying lie regretted having to move tho motion.

Mr Levien the oldest member in the House, said that whatever impulse prompted the Speaker to decide that Mr Moxham's apology was insufficient-, nothing could justify him in thinking that members should craw] to -him on their stomachs, in a manner which would humiliate and disgrace them in the eyes of the people. It was, he sakl, tiho duty of every member to vote the Speaker clean out of office. Mr Willis said : 'lf this is a motion of want of confidence in the Speaker, then notice of motion has not boon given, and must given, if this motion is to bo carried. If tho House has no confidence in me, and .'f the House wishes me to resign, I shall do so, but I call on the Premier as an honourable man to table the -motion to be heard to-morrow. I hold to tho traditions of my position, and detrand tho ono day's notice."

Mr McGowen t-aid the motion w.;s not one of want of confidence in the Speaker, but he considered the Speaker thad made.-a mistake. The Government' did not intend'to cart;y on unless it ruled the House. The motion was carried on tlie volcos. there being one dissent'ent.

The Premier then moved that Mr Moxham's apology be - -accepted as satisfactory, kind the. motion was carried unanimously.

Then ordinary business was resumed.