N.S.W. POLITICS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 212, 25 August 1911, Page 1

N.S.W. POLITICS

EVILS OF PARTY GOVERNMENT.

TURBULENT SCENES IN THE

HOUSE.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT]

Sydney. Aug. 24. There was a remarkable scene in the House after Mr. Willis had been installed in the chair.

Members of the Opposition claimed that they had been tricked and became violent. They continued the uproar, which prevailed for a considerable lime, many of the members apparently spoiling for a fight.

In several instances the intervention of others prevented them from coming to blows. One member was forcibly dragged from the Chamber to keep him from inflicting bodily harm to an opponent. The actual election was peculiar. When a ministerialist had concluded his speech a membeer on each side jumped up. The clerk pointed to the Labourite, who, instead of commencing his speech, advanced to the table and poured out a glass of water. Mr. Willis’ mover and seconder thereupon hurried him forward and installed him m the chair amid loud protests from the Opposition and shouts from an Oppositionist, who had risen that he intended to make another nomination. This was greeted with cries of ‘‘Tor> late.” Mr. Holman subsequently explained that there being only one nomination no division was required. They thought that the debate had terminated, so called upon Mr. Willis. The proceedings were strictly legal. The Opposition defeated themselves by neglecting to nominate a second man. When Mr. Willis was introduced

as Speaker after the dinner adjournment Oppositionists remained seated and greeted him with shouts of ‘‘There is no Speaker.” which were repeated when he invited the members to proceed to Government House and present the Speaker to the Governor. The Opposition remained in the House while this ceremony was performed. They also declined to attend the Legislative Council to hear the Lieutenant-Governor read the epee ch. Cries of “There is no Speaker” were again repeated. The speech was short. It simpjy indicated that the Electoral Law Amendment Act would be restored to the business paper and finally dealt with .also public works proposals and such other business of an urgent character as was necessary. Returning to the Assembly the Speaker immediately adjourned the House till 4 o’clock in spite of further turbulent Liberal Opposition.

CRIES OF “TRAITOR!”

Mr. Holman declares that the

Government is determined to stand ' r or fall by Mr. Willis’ election. He ’ said he was not prepared to enter-. tain any overtures for the altera-* tion of his decision. On his appearance Mr. Willis was greeted with cries of “Trai-! tor/’ “Judas Iscariot,” and many similar compliments, and was asked if he informed the LieutenantGovernor of the trick by which he i got his seat. i Re-assembling after tea, Messrs. ' Dunn and Perry, the newly-elect-ed members .took their seats, and) the trouble was immediately re- < commenced. Mr. Cohen, speaking on a question of privilege, complained that; Mr. Willis’ election was irregular, i He was addressing the House when ’• Mr. Willis vacated the chair, and , gave notice of motion for Tuesday, dissenting from Mr. Willis’ action in leaving the chair before the motion was put. The Assembly to-night was ex-; tremely lively, though less rowdy than at the earlier sittings. Mr. Cohen was constantly interrupted. and was frequently called

to order. He concluded by moving that the action in preventing him <from addressing the House on the flection of a Speaker when in the act of proposing another candidate was a gross breach of privilege. Other members attacked the Go- i vernment over Mr. Willis ’election. *

The debate was adjourned till Tuesday and the House rose. The Legislative Council passed the Address-in-Reply on the voices.

DEGRADATION OF PARLIAMENT.

THE PABULUM OF THE ABUSIVE.

(Received 25, 9.0 a.m.) Sydney, Aug. 25.

The “Herald’ ’states that yesterday’s proceedings reveal that Parliament, as a representative instititution, has sunk to quite pitiful levels of humiliation. Instead of representing the political minds of the people it presented nothing but its own vulgarity and when the members lacked the sparkle of common vulgarity they supplied in no less grotesque form the pabulum of the abusive. The indictment involves both sides equally. No ray of honest purpose illuminated the dull burlesque. Members laughed at the Speaker, crosstalked and made offensive statements. and then withdrew them with their tongues in their cheeks. The whole day was devoted to this inglorious pastime of degrading Parliament. Government had better ask for au immediate dissolution.

A PAIR ARRANGED

(Received 25. 10.30 a.m.)

It is understood a pair will be supplied for Mr. Meehan, who will probably be incapacitated for several months.