MB WILLIS RESIGNS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12889, 23 July 1913, Page 5

MB WILLIS RESIGNS.

PASSING OF THE "DICTATOR."

WHY HE TOOK OFFICE,

AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT

SMI WM. CULLEN IN THE STOCKS

(United Press Association. —Copyright.j Received 9-20 p.m., July 22. SYDNEY, July 22. On tho re-assembling of the Assembly, after tho opening ceremony, Speaker Willis caused a simmer of excitement by announcing that he had a communication to make in regard to the office of Speaker and interference in party politics by tho Lieutenant Governor, Sir Wm. Cullen. He moved that the document bo printed. After some demur on tho .part of the Opposition to appoint tellers, the motion was carried. Mr. Willis thereupon, amid wild Opposition* cheering, tendered his resignation of the Speakership.

Tho Hon. Holman asked for the suspension of tho sitting till he had obtained the consent of the Governor to proceed with tho election of a new Sneaker.

Amid cries of "Resign," and general oscitement, tho House emptied, to rcassomblo at ,s?von o'clock

The document tabled by Mr." "Will's traces the events leading to his acceptance iof the Speakership, and the terms of his acceptance included the passing of the Redistribution of Seats Bill and appealing to the constituencies tit. tho earliest d.^te practicable. .Mr. Willis points out that tho redistribution resolution was not passed till the closing hours of last session and the House therefore no longer represents the constituencies, tho boundaries having been altered, and his obligations to, Parli-i*--ment art) therefore discharged. He states that the time has arrived* when ho must report a grave abuse of constitutional practice by Sir Wm. Oulten durijig Governor Chelmsford's;'absence in England in 1911. While noting as Lieutenant Governor. Sir William'Oullen officially received and conferred with members of the Opposition —persons who. nineteen hours previous to meeting Sir Willisrn Cullen, had ! disgraced tho Assembly by an organised efFort to prevent tho election of Speaker. At tho conclusion o? the ■■■interview, Sir Wm. Cullen informed the acting-Premier, Mr. Hokran. that he would not receive the newly-chosen Speaker. This attempt to cast indignity .on Parliament was averted by the Cabinet, which informed Sir William Cullen that if he gave a personal affront 4 to the Speaker they would resign. .Sir W. Cullen then invited , the Hon. Holman officially to meet Mr. Wade, and tho lattoir proposed that the njewlychosen Speaker should bo removed from office. Mr. Wade undertaking to nominate one of his party for the office. Mr. Holman declined. When the Hon. Mc6cwen returned from Eneland and refitnned tho" Premiership; Sir W. CuUen invited him to meet Mr. Wade, .when ft similar proposal would he made. Mr. McGowen ■ declined. - Tho document concludes: ''The Lieutenant Governor carried with him from Parliament partisan bias in favour of his old colleagues. Consequently he'has shown that ho is unfit for a. constitutional office of administration under a responsible Government. His partiality encouraged tho Opposition in wanton abuse of me as Speaker. With pain, my duty compels mo to place on record the foregoing facts. I shall forthwith through the Governor report; the complain i to, the Secretary of Sfcate for tho Colonies. 1 now voluntarily va'oF.to tho chair -without delay, and ten- ' der my resignation <A the Speakership."