The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1911. NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 38, 29 September 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1911. NEW SOUTH WALES POLITICS.

O' The New South Wales Parliament holds an unenviable record as the worst-behaved political arena in Australia, and what lias occurred during the past few weeks over the election of Mr Henry Willis, as Speaker, has strengthened that State’s claim to this distinction. As a member of the Liberal party, Mr Willis accepted the offer of the Speakership from the Labour Government, whoso fate was doubtful, having only a slender majority. However, whatever may have been the feelings of Mr Wade’s party over the so-called backsliding of one of its members, there is no excuse for the undignified manner in which the Speaker was treated. Unruly members have been forcibly removed from the precincts of Parliament by the Sergeant-at-Arms and his officers, and if matters go on as they are at present, there is no tell(ing what may happen. Recently, when' the Speaker ordered Mr Wood to be removed, the extraordinary spectacle was presented of Opposition members forming a ring round the member, and the Soargant and his men trying to break through it: “If you want football, you’ll got it,” cried Mr Wood, pushing the Sergeant back over the table. As the combined efforts of the enemy were slowly moving Mr Wood towards the door, the scene suddenly changed. Several policemen came in at the double from behind the Speaker’s chair, and the galleries, which had hitherto been dumb with astonishment, broke into loud applause. With this reinforcement to contend against, Mr Wood had' no chance, and was quickly hustled out. Other mem-

bers went out quietly. “I go out for you,” said one of them, “You are a tinpot tyrant.” The most, dramatic moment came when the Speaker ordered the Sergeant to remove the member for Richmond. Without saying a word, Mr Perry made a dash for the cut-glass waterbottle on the table, “and the expression on his face indicated that ho was prepared to defend himself as vigorously as be had fought in the interests of ejected colleagues.” He seized tlie bottle, but before he could iv.iso it the police had closed in on him, and be was quickly hustled from the Chamber. All through the turmoil the Speaker seemed to keep iiis head, and was ever ready to pounce upon what he deemed a breach of orders. When, after the riot was over, Mr Wade rose,to suggest an adjournment, as the House was not in a lit position to sit, the Speaker sternly ordered him to sit down, and pointed out that no member could comment on the Chair or the action of the House. All through the uproar tiie Premier sat grimly silent,, refusing all appeals to him to intervene. A dau.ee will lie held in the Douglas Hall ou Friday, October Gtb, in aid of the school funds.