HIGH OFFICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 150, 28 June 1939, Page 14

HIGH OFFICE.

SPEAKER ELECTED.

MANY WARM TRIBUTES.

" GUARDIAN OF DEMOCRACY." I (By Telegraph.— pßrilamentnrv RojTortM.) WELUXOTOX. this day. Both side* of the House of Represen tative* paid high tributes to the Hon. W. K. Barnard yeeterda.v afternoon when he waa re-elected to the office of Speaker. References were mmle to his excellent services to the House during the last Parliament and he \va« complimented on the manner in which lio had maintained the traditions of Ins high and responsible office. In moving Mr. Bnrnnrd"* election, tinchief Government Whip. Mr. J. O'Brien (Weetland) said that Mr. Barnard hail all the qualities which fitted him to preside over the House and l.v his impartiality he had maintained the confidence of members. Mr. Barnard's nomination was eecondeil by Mr. A. S. Richard* (Government. Koftkill), who said that Mr. Barnard's ten years of service in the House, together with his professional training, high xeiioe of fairness and dear judgment marked him as a worthy successor to many distinguished Speaker*. Tn the absence of the Prime Minister. Mr. Savage, who was indispose.i. the Minister of Education. Mr. Fraeer. offered Mr. Speaker the congratulations of the Government. "Never before in the history of the world has it been more important that the privileges and principle* of democratic government, won , after centuries of struggle and sometimes bloodshed, should be safeguarded," said Mr. Fraser. ''They arc fundamental to the continued existence of the democratic representative system. The Speaker of the House of Repreaen tative* .can know no political friend or political opponent. He is looked upon by all members as the representative of a people entitled to freedom of opinion, of upeech, and of criticism." The Lender of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) offered the congratulations of hie party, and tributes were also paid to him by Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Independent, Kgmont) and Mr. H. A tin ore (Independent, Nelson). From his seat on the floor of the House, Mr. Barnard said he hoped that he would enjoy a continuance of the confidence which hie fcllow-nieuibere had repoeed in him when he was tiret elected Speaker about three years ago. "I submit myself to their judgment,'' he added and was then led forward by his sponeor«. Before taking his seat in the Speaker's chair, he thanked members for ru-elec'ting him Speaker and said that he would endeavour to discharge fairly I and impartially the duties attached to Mich an important office. Aβ noon as Mr. Barnard took lii« seat on the dais the mace was placed on the table.