MR WILLIS AND THE PRESS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 4 September 1912, Page 5

MR WILLIS AND THE PRESS

TH|| SPEAKER TO BE ASKED TO vJJ RETIRE.

THE .REPORTERS STILL

EXCLUDED

MR WILLIS HECKLED

BI CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. SYDNEY, Sep. 3. Despite the Government's announcement regarding Mr Willis' exclusion order, wnen tne reporters presented themselves at the iriouse the Daily Telegraph representatives were .debarred from entering the press gallery. Asked for an explanation, Mr Willis replied, "I have no statement to make," When the Speaker took the chair, Mr Levien asked Mr Willis what action he intended to take with reference to -Aiie exclusion of the press and the Government's intention to amend the standing orders. Mr Willis replied that he had acted strictly in accordance with the standing orders. Until the House gave further directions he would continue to do so. Dr Arthur called attention to the newspaper Sun's article referring to the reporters' exclusion, headed "The Putty Napoleon comes to his Waterloo," and moved that the editor of the Sun be brought before the bar of the House. The Speaker put the question that the clerk be allowed to read extracts from the article. This was negatived, and the matter was dropped. The galleries were crowded in the evening, and the House was simmering with good-natured excitement. There was much bantering of Mr Wil- j lis, who was bombarded with questions regarding the expulsions. Mr "Wpade asked if it were a fact that the Telegraph reporters were not in their places in the House. Mr Willis said he was not personally acquainted with the members of that staff. He certainly did not see any of those gentlemen there. In reply to Mr Wade's enquiry if ha had withdrawn the order of expulsion, Mr Willis said that he was not answering any questions on that subject today.

Mr Willis' attention was again drawn ~to the Sun article. Amid loud laughter, Mr Willis said, "The only paper I read is the Daily Telegraph." Mr Levien gave notice of motion to to-morrow that owing to the disfavor with which members view the exclusion of the Telegraph reporters, peace and order is seriously disturbed, and the House therefore desires to inornate to the Speaker his retirement fifom the Speakership to enable the House to make such arrangements as will guarantee peace and order and a duijj recognition of the authority of the *chatr.