AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 76, 22 November 1912, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

THE SPEAKER CENSURED

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Sydney, November 21. The Assembly this . afternoon was crowded, and the proceedings- opened amid a buzz of excitement. Mr McGowcn moved that the House dissent from the Speaker’s ruling on the motion by the Premier that Mr Moxham’s apology be accepted. Mr Hoi man seconded the motion. Neither made a speech, the Premier contenting himself with regretting that lie had to move the motion.

Mr Levien, the oldest member in the House, said that whatever impulse prompted the Speaker in deciding that Mr Moxham’s apology was insufficient, nothing could justify him in thinking that members should crawl to him oiy their stomachs in a manner which would humiliate and disgrace them in the eyes of the people. - ft was the duty of every member to vote the Speaker clean out of office.

Mr Willis said that if this motion was one of want of confidence in the Speaker, then notice had not been given, and it must be given, “if this motion is carried,” he said; “if the House has no confidence in me, and if the House wishes me t-> resign I shall do so, but I call on the Premier as an honourable man to table a motion to be heard to-morrow. I hold to the traditions of my position, and demand the one clay’s notice.”

Mr McGowcn said that the motion was not one of. want of confidence in the Speaker, but he conr:i,dered that the Speaker had made a mistake. The Government'did not intend to carry on unless it ruled the House. The-motion was carried on the voices, with one dissentient. The Premier moved that Mr Mnx ham’s apology be accepted as satisfactory.

This was carried unanimously, and the House then proceeded to ordinary business.