SPEAKER'S ELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1940, Page 9

SPEAKER'S ELECTION.

FOR LIFE OF PARLIAMENT. The resignation of Mr. Barnard from membership of the New Zealand Labour party docs not necessarily mean that he intends to resign the position 'of Speaker of the House of Representatives. The member elected to the Speakership holds oflice throughout the lifetime of a Parliament, and the position becomes vacant only by the death of the holder, his resignation, or disqualification ns a member of the House. The term of the present Parliament does not conclude until towards the end of next year. The appointment of a Speaker is governed by a clause in the Electoral Act, 1027, which provides that a newlyelected House of Representatives, immediately on its first meeting, ••'shall proceed to the choice of one of its members as its Speaker during the continuance of the said House." The House of Representatives continues in office uutil Parliament is dissolved, pending a general election, but even then the Speaker is deemed to continue in oflice, and his remuneration is extended until the first meeting of the next Parliament, when the Clerk of the House conducts a fresh election for the oflice. Mr. Speaker's remuneration is fixed by Act at £1000 a year, with travelling allowances and expenses. He. has the use of a well-appointed residential suite in Parliament Buildings, which ho occupies while the House is in session.