AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 76, 22 November 1912, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 9.10 a.in.) November 22. The Cabinet meets this morning tc discuss the position. In view of the statements of Messrs Holman and Griffith that there is no crisis, but only a d'lfercnce of opinion on the question of authority, which can be overcome in a proper constitutional manner, it is considered unlikely that the Government will take further action in regard to Speaker \\ illis. Both the 'morning papers publish hot leaders attack’ng the Government’s supineness in allowing Speaker Willis tr triumph, premising trouble when the electors seized the situation. The Herald characterises the affair as a “put-up job.” The Telegraph states that it is a complete sacrifice of dignity and prestige. (Received 10.25 a.rn.) Melbourne, November 22. A Bill providing for a referendum on Scripture lessons in State Schools has been introduced. A Bill prohibiting the indulgence ol joy video under a heavy fine or imprisonment lias been passed.

A STATE OF SIEGE. “WOULD DO IT AGAIN.” (Received 9.0 a.m.) Sydney, November 22. In the course of his speech, Mi Levien was interrupted by the Speaker, who pointed out to Mr Le vien that in inciting his friends tr perform physical violence upon the Speaker, he was quite liable to be taken clean away to the lock-up. Mr Levien replied that he would bo delighted, as then he would he a? big a martyr as Speaker Willis himself and as notorious in public life. Mr Wood, in announcing that tin Opposition would support the Govern merit no matter what personal ni party interests were involved, said tin Opposition would ever be found sup porting the Leader of the House in as sorting the rights of the House. Speaker Willis, in the course of hi; reply, declined to be judged by a stan dard. His friends had consulted a? an. authority the gentleman who ha< moved the last vote.—(Dissent.) L the House of Commons, he said, a mni standing in the very forefront of gen tlemon, the leader of the National's' Party in the Commons, had said tha' whether right or wrong the decisioi of the clia’r must be obeyed. Speak." Willis added that lie was prepared G go that day, but would uphold the tra dition of his position as long as h.< was there.

Mr McGowen, in a subsequent speech pointed out that the Government 01 many occasions had made alhnvanro' for Speaker Willis’s fallibility ajic had loyally backed him, but he considered the Speaker had made a m s take in the Moxham case. He added that if the Government were not gnv erning the House the sooner it go’ away from the House the better. Tr the cry of “resign” he replied that they would do the business in then own way, because no men who Inn graduated like us in the schools o 4 hardships and tribulation fear the consequences whim they do what the; believe to be right. They just took tin consequences,. At the same taiic In assured the Speaker the Government would refuse to carry on legislation opass Supply unless they were leader; of the House.

To this Speaker Willis replied that ho wished the Premier to know that “while I said I would govern the House, he will have to change tin Standing Orders if he wishes to govern me, because I am protected hj the House under the Standing Orders What T did last night I feel my duty to do aga’n any day under similar circumstances.”

Prior to the debate Speaker Willis asked that Mr Moxham he brought to the bar of the House.

Mr Moxham declined, but after the vote re-entered the House amid cheers