AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 24 August 1911, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

(Received 24, 9.20 a. hi.) - • Sydney, August 24

The Assembly is still discussing Mr Willis’s appointment. The Opposition has .declared it's intention of opposing till it can oppose' no longer. • NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT. DISORDERLY SCENES. Sydney, August 23. Parliament was opened oy Commission, and Mr. Willis was nominated as Speaker. A long argument is'anticipated. Mr. iaolmun stated tiiat ho did not intend to attempt to stifle discussion. Proceedings in tno Assembly were electric and disorderly from the j • nip. The mover and seconder of Mr. Willis’s nomination were constantly interrupted by sarcastic Opposition remarks. Mr. Wade, in a long speech, hotly and bitterly attacked cue Government and Mr. Willis, amidst a constant excuange of heated remarks. At one point the intervention or others prevented two members from exchanging blows. Mr. Wade declared that the course followed by the Ooverament involved tne- degradation and humiliatiou of .Parliamentary government such, as bad never botore oeen seen. The Government was so hungry for office that they would do- anything rather than relinquish their grip. They had become tiro great betrayers of nistofyv ‘ They, had dangled the bait of prestige and emolument before members. He reproached Mr Willis with deserting the Liberals and accepting the bpeaizership, and declared he was aosolutoiy vunvorthy to ■fed the chair, having made h’mseif a party to a disgracciui contract, Lire oojcct ol winch .was to keep in power alter tno Government hac cease i to enjoy tno confidence or tire i.huse and the country.

;GENERAL ELECTION n.BOUT ' CHRISTMAiS. < Sydney, August 23. Mr Holman was Irequently interrupted in his spirited reply to Mr \Vade..L He defended the' Government and Mr Willis. If the Labour Party had been able to appeal ‘;td two rai - iners’ electorates in tne moment of unpopularity and intense- excitement, and' tne Liberals had failed! to 'gain these seats, the Labour Party could face the general election witn composure. The House would be peimitted to clear up business which was clearly necessary 1 , before an appeal was made to the country; ■ ; He was deter- , mined, to get the Electoral Ivotoi ni and Redistribution of Seats Bui through. He expected a general election about Christinas.

A FIGHT TO THE DEATH, urn la iuo susa Bn i-ram-onj isg ci .JUS Sydney, August 23. The debate is going strong, and there is every prospect of a „pi qtract- .. ed. sitting. . • sLU-L , Tne proceedings are of_a dree-and-easy cuaracter. The clerk who is tilling the place of tlie Speaker, without iiis powers, is helpless to check the members. • The, Opposition is determined -to resist Mr Willis’ appointment to the death, but are willing to compromise if someone else is nominated. / (Received 24, 12.30 p.m.) Sydney, August 24. The Assembly adjourned at S o clock Mr. Willis was appointed Speaker. Mr. Meehan, Labour 'aetnber, jii the exuberance of his spirits, was sliding down the bannister of the scaurs, over-balanced himself, and fell on a packing case and fractured his pelvis, and also sustained co.. ;ue..Ln the brain. Ho was removed to the hospital in an unconscious riat-?. It is doubtful if the Opposition will grant a pair. If nut, U ~*.i myan u Mr. Willie will have ij exerllco Idi sting vote in any discussion.