SPEAKER WILLIG INCIDENT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9, 4 September 1912, Page 5

SPEAKER WILLIG INCIDENT

“THE PETTY NAPOLEON.”

(I3y Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.}

(United Press Association.) Sydney, September 3. Despite the Governments announcement regarding Mr. Willis’ exclusion order when the reporters prcseatctl themselves at the House, the Dam Telegraph” representatives were debarred from entering die 1 ress Gallery. Asked tor an explanation, Mi. Willis replied, “1 have no statement to make.” , . , • When the Speaker took the emur, Mr. Levied asked Mr. W illis wnataction he intended to take with rtle;enco to the exclusion of the press and the Government’s intention to nmend the Standing Orders. Mg Willis icplied that he had acted strictly in accordance with the Standing Orders. Until the House gave furtner directions ho would continue to do so. J)r Arthur calk'd attention to tnc newspaper “Sun’s” article refonmc to the reporters’ exclusion, headed Ihc Putty Napoleon comes to Ins WateiIoo,”‘ and moved that the editor of the “Sun” lie brought before the Lar ol the House. , , The S])oaker put the question that the Clerk ho allowed to read extract from the article. This was negatived, and the mattci was dropped. . , A The galleries were crowded to-nigJu and the House was simmering with <mod-natnre<l llieic uas much bantering of Mr. Willis, wno wa: bombarded with questions rcgardnif.' the expulsions. Mr. Wade asked it i. wore a fact that the “Telegraph reporters were not in their places in the House. Mr. Willis said ho was not personally acquainted with the mem hors of that staff, He certainly did not see any of those gentlemen there. In reply' to Mr. Wade’s enmiiry if he had withdrawn the order of exeln s ion, Mr. Willis said that he was not answering any questions on that sum ject to-day. Mr. Willis’ attention was again drawn to the “Sun” article Amid loud laughter Mr. Willis s"id: “flu’ only ponor I read is the ‘Daily Tele-

granli.’ ” . Mr. Lcvoin gave unlieo of motion to move to-morrow that owing to the disfavour with which members view the exclusion of the “Telegraph’s” reporters, peace and order is seriously disturbed, and the House therefore do sires to intimate to the Speaker hif retirement from tbe -Speakership to mi .able the House to make such arrangements as will guarantee ponce and order and n dim recognition of the authority of the Chair. Mr. Wade then moved In’s went /> o ( confidence motion. He attacked the Government for allowing a member te oceupv office to bis profit. This was r technical breach of the'" law and nr attempt by the Government to secure the silence of a member who might ho troubles,onwi. The Government understood that Mr. Nielsen’s pushing of his leasehold policy was dangerous and to prevent party divisions it was decided to sacrifice him by getting him a wav to America. Mr. Holman replied that there had been no concealment f'f Mr. Niels appointment. Wbv did net M* - . Wade move when Mr. Nielsen visited America before? The idea that, the Government had to buy Mr. Nielsen’s layaltv was gratuitously offensive to him and unjust to tbe Ministers. He denied that be-accepted office for profit. Tbe Government, proposes to divide before the House vises, and anticipates a ..majority of about two.-

VOTE FOR WILLIS. (Received 9.50 a.in.) Sydney, September 3. The censure motion was defeated by 44 votes to 40.