SPEAKER WILLIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14927, 27 February 1912, Page 7

SPEAKER WILLIS.

CENSURE MOTION IN HOUSE. MR. WOOD AGAIN EJECTED. By Telegraph. Frets Association.— (Received February 26. 9 p.m.) Sydney, February 26. In the Legislative Assembly Mr. Levien moved the censor© motion of which he had given notice, to the effect that, because of his partiality for Ministerialists and his unfair treatment of Oppositionists, Mr. Speaker Willis had forfeited the confidence of the House. It was the first business of tho day, and the atmosphere was electric. Before the motion was introduced, Mr. Wood, Opposition member for Bega, who was only recently readmitted to the House (after a prolonged and enforced absence) on apologising to the Speaker, asked whether the motion would be discussed free of any restrictions by the Chair. The Speaker asked Mr. Wood to withdraw and apologise. Mr. Wood disclaimed any intention of personal offensiveness. The Speaker held that it was not a question of personal offence, but of offence to tho' House. Mr. Wood declined to withdraw, and was removed on the Speaker's order, the Opposition showing strong resentment. Tho Speaker cautioned two other members of the Assembly. Mr. Levien then moved his motion. He took exception to tho manner in which Mr. Willis had been appointed. He did not think that any Government in this or any other country could show a Speaker's chair occupied under similar circumstances. He (Mr. Levien), as an Independent, had been offered and had refused tho chair; but Mr. Willis, a Liberal, had accepted it under conditions which made his occupancy a matter of sorrow. Mr. Levien added that Mr. Willis had not occupied tho chair with the dignity necessary to the position. The two essential's were impartiality (or fairness) and common justice. Mr. Willis had not been impartial, nor fair, nor just.