A SPEAKER ON TRIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14928, 28 February 1912, Page 7

A SPEAKER ON TRIAL.

CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED. PREMIER DEFENDS MR. WILLIS* By Telegrrsph.—l'resi Association.—Copyright*: Sydney, February 27, In the Legislative Assembly Mr. Levien. continued his epcech in support of bis motion of censure on the Speaker—-that, because of his partiality for Ministerial ists and his unfair treatment of Oppositionists, Mr. Speaker Willis had forfeited the. confidence of the House. Mr. Levies; attributed. the Speaker's mistakes while occupying the chair to the weakness of. overweening; vanity. Mr. McGowen (Premier) declared that the motion was the most serious charge ever made in the New South Wales Parliament. He maintained that though the Speaker had been insulted he had always maintained the dignity .of his position.' If the chair l ad been occupied by a man without firmness and dignity the House would have been a bedlam. The Speaker, replying from the chair, was subjected, to continual interjections.. He declared that ho. had always been ' careful to act in accordance with the i Standing Orders, and was jealous of the I honour of ike House. He was anxious to do justice to all, and in so. far as he had failed it was duo to the frailty of human nature. ;* * ■ ■.. •.'>: *;K ■>' ■■>'<"*■

When the Speaker concluded he called; on Mr. Levien to reply. Several Opposii tiori members wished to speak, and when disallowed left the Chamber. The motion was defeated by 34 to* 6 t only two members of the Opposition "vol* ing. ' .. .- .....;,-; m• -