N.S.W. POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, 9 December 1921, Page 5

N.S.W. POLITICS.

RUMOURS OF A CRISIS. Sydney, Dec. 7. —Rumours are current over a possible crisis in connection. with the motion given notice of by Sir George Fuller in the Legislative Assembly last night, including one that Mr Levy intends to resign the Speakership, whicji would leave the Government with a minority. THE SPEAKER RESIGNS. (Received 9.45 p.m.) Sydney, Dec. B.—One morning paper announced Speaker Levy’s resignation. .Mr Levy, in an early edition of an evening paper, emphatically denied this, but promised a statement in the Assembly. The House was crowdel when Mr Levy announced that he was resigning the Speakership. He explained that he accepted the position at a time when the Opposition forces were divided and he desired to save th© expense of an appeal to the country, hence he accepted the nomination of Labour, which was the largest party. The Opposition elements and the National Progressive elements were now a united body,' and the changed circumstances rendered it impossible for his vote to maintain in power the party which he was elected to oppose.

Mr Dooley (Premier) paid a tribute to Mr Levy’s ability in the Speaker’s chair. Sir George Fuller, who trenchantly censured Mr Levy when he accepted the Speakership, retracted his censure, saying that the resignation had convinced members that no promises of preferment influenced Mr Levy’s action when he was appointed.—(A. and N.Z.) DISSOLU TION EXPECTED. (Received 1 a.m.) Sydney, Dec. B.—Mr Levy’s resignation has brought to a finale a situation which has been marked by growing tenseness. Ever since Sir George Fuller gave notice of his censure motion negotiations and hurried conferences amongst the various parties, and with the Speaker, have been in constant progress.

It is understood that though the Nationalists and the Progressives will not amalgamate, they are pledged to solidly together in shifting the Labour Government. It is alleged that the Government unavailingly approached certain members of both the Nationalist and Progressive parties with a view of inducing them to accept the Speakership and thereby save the Government. These negotiations are still in progress.

As things stand, the Government, failing to secure a Speaker outside its own ranks, would face an adverse motion in a minority. The alternatives confronting Mr Dooley are to give Sir George Fuller a chance of forming a Government, which is considered unlikely, or asking for a dissolution. Whatever happens, dissolution at an early date is considered certain.—(A. and N.Z.)