SHORN IF HIS POWER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 214, 6 September 1912, Page 5

SHORN IF HIS POWER.

WILLIS AND THE PRESS. HOUSE ASSUMES THE POWER. CUSTOM BECOMES lAW. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. In the State Assembly the galleries were crowded when the Attorney-General (Air. Holman) moved a motion taking the power of excluding representatives of the Press out of the hands of the er and placing it in the hands "i L no House. The Attorney-General explained that the motion would give the Speaker the power to provide what accommodation he liked in the galleries, but the exclusion of the Press -would be left to the House itself. It had become apparent that the amendment wae necessary, and the Government had reached that conclusion without any disrespect to the ■Speaker (Mt. Willi-s). There had been occasions when a member had much to complain about the distorted form in which news was given to the public, Tratj the new standing order would ena-ble the House to protect itself from the mutilation of reports. An animated debate followed, in the course of which the Speaker's action was criticised and the newspapers were championed. Mr. Waddel said that his experience of the groat dailies was that whatever their political opinions they generally gave everybody a fair deal. The "Telegraph" had done noble work for the country, and with its morning contemporary exercised a better influence than all the rest of the literature that was read. Mr. Wood pointed out that this was the third occasion on which the present Government had interfered wdfch the Speaker's powers. Mr. Cohen was unable to follow the argument that the Press had no right to be in the gallery. The custom had i been operatiraj for 200 years, and established custom was just as strong a-s law. Other member.* urged that the proposal would not improve matters. Mr. Griffiths' amendment was adopted, inserting at the commencement of the motion the v.ords, "representatives of registered nr-wspaipers ehal! be admitted to the Press gallery during sittings." Mr. Fern's amendment enabling the Speaker to put the question after thirty minutes was carried by 35 to 33. J Mr. Holman, replying to the contenI tion that, the motion was unnecessary, ■ because power existed, said the standing orders did not confer power; they were only the manifestation of the power which always existed in the House. He did not wnnt a full debate wheneveT a reporter desired to eater the House. What was desired was a standing order applicable to all cases. At present the ! Press was unrecognised in the House, and siiry ripht they possessed was based on custom, which was very precarious, and mipht bo chanjred at any time. He wanted the House to say that the Press had the right to be present, instead of depending on custom and the Speaker's favour. Mr. Holman'e motion, as amended, was carried by 37 to 30. " OUT !"

WILLIS AGAIN ACTIVE.

MR WOOD REMOVED. (Received 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Whilo Mr. Cueaek was speaking in the House of Assembly quoting extracts, Mr Wood (member for Bega) rose to a point of order. The Speaker (Mr Willis) said Mr Wood was making a speech. Mr Wood objected to that statement. Mr Willis then ordered Mt Wood to bo. seated, and characterised him as disorderly. Mr Wood said he declined to be called disorderly when he was not disorderly. Mr WTllis ordered Mr Wood's removaJ. When the sergeant touched Mr Wood on the arm he exclaimed: "I will go in. deference to the House, but this won't continue for ever." He remained standing for a few moments, and declared: "I don't think you are going to use force." Mr Wiiris ordered the sergeant to summop the police to remove Mr. Wood, and the latter then departed quietly.

CAUGHT NAPPING.

A FARCICAL DEBATE. SYDNEY, September 5. The Government was caught napping last niglit 'by Dr. Arthur's motion regarding the lending article •which appeared in the "Sydney Morning Herald ,, on Friday last, commenting on the exclusion ct the "Daily Telegraph's" reporters from the Press gallery. The debate was quite farcical, and -was treated as a. huge jdke. The Premier (Mr. McGowen) was very. angry at, bernß caught in. the trap set '. by the Opposition, and the Speaker (Mr, . Willis) took his revenge by ruling the division to be frivolous, thus limiting the entry on the records of the Assembly to the bare mention of the defeat of the motion. Dr. ■Aeflmr's motion that the article in question, was a breach of the privileges of the House was lost by 72 to 3.