POOR WILLIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 10, 22 December 1911, Page 5

POOR WILLIS.

MAKES A BED OF THORNS AND LIES ON IT.

GOVERNMENT GETS GRUMPY.

(Received 22, 9.45 a.m.)

Sydney, December 22. The relation of the Government and the Speaker are becoming strained. Recently Mr Willis took upon himself to suspend Mr Robinson, chief of the Hansard staff, for alleged insubordination. He applied to the Government for endorsement of this. Mr McGowen refused, replying that the Speaker was unable to suspend an officer without the concurrence of the President of the Legislative Council. A large amount of correspondence between the heads of the two Houses on the subject, now made public, shows that the President regarded Mr Robinson as a faithful and competent officer. Mr "Willis .also heavily .fined two Parliamentary messengers for alleged insubordination, his authority being questioned by the.press.

Mr Willis accepted the Speakership of the Legislative Assembly only on the understanding that no party matters would be introduced. In making the announcement that Mr Willis would be. Speaker, Mr Holman, then Acting-Premier, said the Government, realised that it was impotent to deall with contentious matter in Parliament, and would hold a short session devoted to preparing for the inevitable appeal to the country at the earliest practicable date. When the Government reintroduced the Industrial Arbitration Bill, which was dropped last session, Mr Wade, leader of the Opposition, declared that this action was not in keeping with the Government’s compact with Mr Willis,, the Speaker, to not introduce contententious legislation. Ministers argued in reply that it was in keeping with the promise to the electors to re« move the Coercion Act.