N.S. WALES POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15553, 7 September 1912, Page 10

N.S. WALES POLITICS

AUTOCRATIC SPEAKER.

MR' WOOD EJECTED,

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

SYDNEY, September 6.

While Mr Cusack was speaking in the Assembly, and ijuottng extracts from Air Wood's speech, the member for Uega rose to a point of order, whereupon the Speaker said that Mr Wood was making a speech. Mr Wood objected to such a statement, and Mr Willis ordered Mr Wood to be seated, and characterised him as disorderly.

Mr Wood said he declined to bo'called disorderly when he was not disorderly. Mr Willis then ordered Mr Wood's removal. When tho sergeant touched Mr Wood on the arm the latter exclaimed ho would go out of deference to the House, but ho said "This sort of thing won't continue." He remained standing n- few moments, and added: " Don't think you arc going to use force." Mr Willis ordered the Scrgcaijl to summon the police and remove Mr Wood. The latter then departed quietly. MR DOLMAN'S MOTION. CARRIED IN AMENDED FORM. SYDNEY, September 6. -Continuing the debateon Mr Holman's motion, Mr Witddcli said that his experience of the great dailies was that whatever their political opinions they generally gave everybody a fair deal. The Telegraph had dono noble work for the country,. and, with its morning contemporary,- had exercised a better influence than all the rest of the literature that was read by the public.

Mr Wood pointed out that this'was the third occasion the present Government had interfered with the Speaker's powers.

Mr Cohen said he was unable to follow tho argument that the press had no right to be in the gallery. 'Hie custom had been operating for 200 years, and established customs were just as strong as the law.

Other members urged that the proposal did not improve matters.

Mr Griffith's amendment was adopted for inserting at the commencement of the motion the words "the representatives of registered newspapers shall be admitted to the press gallery during tlie sitting of Parliament."

.Mr Fern's amendment enabling thy Speaker to put the question after 30 minutes' debate- was carried by 35 to 33.

Mr Holmon, replying to the contention that the motion was unnecessary because power already existed, said the Standing Orders did not confer the power; they were only the manifestation of thu power which always existed in the House. He did not -want a full debate when a newspaper representative desired to enter the House. What ho'desired was a standing order applicable to all cases. At present the press was not recognised in the House. Any right it possessed was based on custom, which was very precarious, and might be changed nt any time. He wanted the House to say' that, the press had the right to be present instead of depending on custom and on the Speaker's favour.

Mr Holman's motion as amended was carried bv 37 to 30.

ALL-NIGHT SITTING.

SYDNEY, September 6. (Received Sept. 6, at 10 p.m;)

After an all-night sitting the Assembly read the Gas Bill a second lime.

Mr Donaldson gave notico of motion to introduce a bill to provide for the roadmfssioh of Mr R. Meagher as a solicitor, and also to amend the Legal, Practitioners Act.