SIR C. STATHAM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 242, 26 July 1935, Page 3

SIR C. STATHAM

RETIRING FROM POLITICS.

REASONS FOR THE STEP.

(Special to the “ Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, July 25

Sir Charles Statham, Speaker of the House of Representatives, will preside in the coming session for the last time. To-day he indicated to the chairman of liis election committee that he will not contest Dunedin Central at the forthcoming General Election.

There are four other members of the present Parliament who are not seeking .re-election—The Hon. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa), Messrs P. McSkimming (Qutha), W. H. Field! (Otaki), and H. S. Williams (Bay of. Plenty).

The decision of Sir Charles Statham has evidently been brought about by the difficult position in which Parliament places one of its members when, by its vote, it signifies that he shall impartially conduct its proceedings. This divorces Mr Speaker from ordinary Parliamentary activity, though in practice he is able to approach Ministers and others privately on matters of importance to his constituency, but any party tendencies must be completely submerged while he holds office.

The British House of Commons has recognised this problem by giving its Speaker an unopposed return so long as he holds office. The former United and Reform Parties in New Zealand endeavoured to allow a similar ideal, but Labour three times contested Dunedin Central while Sir Charles Statham has been /Speaker, and he won the last election by a much smaller majority than the thousands lie formerly enjoyed. At that time, Sir Charles showed recognition of his difficult personal position by declaring that if he again fought an election, it would be with the gloves off. This, of course, would place him in a definite party category and make it difficult, if not impossible, to again fill the Speaker’s chair. Weighing all these considerations, Sir Charles has come to the conclusion to retire, and he lias made it clear that there is no foundation for the rumour that he will accept an invitation which has been given to stand for a North Island constituency. He intends to devote his full time in future to his legal practice. Sir Charles’s service as Speaker will, at the end of this session, total 13 yearsj a record for continuity in that high office which has not been equalled in New Zealand, although Sir Maurice O’Rorke was Speaker for 22 years, broken by a three-year period. Another interesting personal feature is that Sir Charles Statham is the first New Zealand-born member to hold the Speakership. He was elected in exciting times. When he stood as an Independent at the 1923 election, the Government majority was reduced to such an uncertain point that a special session was necessary to decide on the no-confidence issue. It was w r on by Mr Massey with the aid of three Liberals whose continued! help enabled him to maintain his precarious political advantage until his death two yeai s later.

The Standing Orders of the House were completely revised under S'ii Charles’s direction five years ago and a number ef innovations introduced, making for the more expeditious transaction of Parliamentary business. At a later date, the closure procedure was permanently included, throwing on Mr Speaker the responsibility of deciding when such a. motion could be accepted’. He does not put it if, to quote tins portion of the closure rule, “it shall appear to the Chair that such a motion is an abuse of the rules of the House or an infringement of the rights of a minority.” Otherwise, if accepted) by Mr Speaker, the closure motion is put forthwith without debate oi (amendment and the House is obliged to immediately decide the question which was under discussion.

The Hon. Sir Charles Ernest Statham was born at Dunedin in 1 oio, the son of the. Rev. Canon Charles Hadfield Statham. His younger brothers, Major F. H. Statham and Corporal Olive Statham, were killed m action at Gallipoli. In 'l9oo Sir Charles married a daughter or Mi and Mrs William Burnett, of Dunedin. He was educated at Park s School, Dunedin, the Cathedral Grammar School, Christchurch, and at the Otago Boys’ High School. He entered commercial life and was trained as an accountant, later studying law, and taking his solicitor’s and barrister s examinations. He was elected to the Dunedin City Council in 1911, but retired two years later, and he lias been member for Dunedin Central since 1911 and Speaker of the House from February, 1923. He was knighted m 1926.