M.S.W. POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 44, 6 October 1911, Page 3

M.S.W. POLITICS.

AX UNPOPULAR speaker. According to the .“Sydney Daily Telegraph’ A! r Wood was again removed irom the Legislative Assembly on the night of the 28th September by the order of the Speaker. Precisely why was not apparent. There was no scene, no uproar. Jt was all done ■within loss than a minute, and happened so rapidly that very few members knew what was being enacted until all was over, and the member for Bega had loft the House. Mr Crawford, at the close of his speech, following Mr Storey, had challenged the Opposition if they were serious in their consideration for the people, to submit their case to the judgment of a public meeting, and as lip sat down, Mr Wood, who was the only member of the Opposition sitting on the front Opposition bench, in addition to Mr Fitzpatrick, rose to speak. He-at once referred-to Mr Crawford’s challenge, and turning to where Mr Crawford sat, had merely uttered the words, “Let me tell him that ” when ho was pulled up. “Order,” said the Speaker. “The hon., member must, address the Chair.”

“I desire to address the Chair,” retorted Mr "Wood.

“Order,” repeated the Speaker

Mr Wood essayed to resume his speech, but before he could utter a sentence ho wap asked to (resume his seat, and as; ho did-fins the. Speaker went, through,,thei formality, of reading Mr Wade’s notice of motion, prior to putting the question, j . As soon as he ha,d finished his reading, both.Mr [Wood and Mr Fitzpatrick rose, and the Speaker called upon the latter, ~ , . >

Mr Wood protested. He had the lloor, lie said, and desired to address the House. ... - , ,!

The Speaker: Will Hie lion, member resume his scat ? Mr Wood,: I will if you will call me in duo course, but not otherwise. Mr Fitzpatrick remained on his feet and the Speaker again called upon him, but Mr Wood repeated his protest. “I desire to address the ..House,” he said. “I have a perfect right to address the House.”

The Speaker (to the Sergeant -r.tArms): Sergeant, remove the hen. member for Bcga.

Mr Wood: Very ,Y- ell, fir,, but it is only one more of those insults that have been heaped upon members of this House. I will go out willingly, but there will be a time when I won’t

go. .Mr Wood thereupon went out, whilst members entering the House IT j : '/lie looked on wondei^ngly. A i'ew minutes before the incident —pwin Ist, Mr Cr.ijvford was speaking' —occurred, the Speaker had called Mr Wood, to ordeij - for doing nothing nyoijip' than take,.notice of mild ii.terjectjioijis', from the,, other side of the -Then the, Speaker made the announcement thajC.ho had twice called) niemhpp for Bega to order. last few moments of the sitting werft.opcnpicd in a. tug-of-war between Mr,. Fitzpatrick and the Speaker . Op,the motion, for the adjournment Mr i Fitzpatrick , asked whether the Minister in charge (Mr Carmichael) would ascertain from the leader of the Government so that ho might answer the question; at the next sitting, whether it was part of the contract that had been entered into between the Government and Mr Henry Willis that certain hon. members on the Opposition side of the House should be turned out in order to ensure a majority for the Government every time. The Speaker: Order. Is the hon. member aware that under the Standing Orders he is liable to have his words taken down and to bo dealt with by the House ? I will call upon the lion, member to withdraw the expression.

Mr Fitzpatrick: "What expression? The Speaker:: /The expression complained of. Mr Fitzpatrick: What expression is it? I will withdraw it if you will tell me what is wrong about what I said.

The Speaker; Do I understand the lion, member is unaware of what he said? ir.vi;

Mr Fitzpatrick:, I am quite aware of what I said, but ■ I am unaware' of what part you take-exception to. The Speaker,: The latter part of his remarks I take exception to. Mr Fitzpatrick: 1 withdraw the statement.

The What statement do you withdraw ? Mr Fitzpatrick: I withdraw, Mr Speaker, the latter portion of my' remarks.

Tjie Speaker :What arc the words that I oliject to ? (Opposition laughter.)

Mr Fitzpatrick: That is what I want to find out.

The Speaker: Will the hem. member resume his seat?

Mr Fitzpatrick: I withdraw the question that i asked in regard to it being a portion of the contract between the Government and Mr Henry Willis that certain members on this side of the House shall he ejected from the House in order to provide a majority for the Government.