THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22765, 18 July 1939, Page 10

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

ELECTION OF SPEAKER TO-DAY APPOINTMENT OF MR FAGAN EXPECTED [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 17. The main business of the Legislative Council when it resumes to-morrow will be the election of a Speaker in succession to Sir Walter Carncross. who retired from this position on July 7. after a record term of 21 years. It is taken for granted in political quarters that the new Speaker will by the Leader of the Council, the Hon. Mark Fagan. The vacancy left in the leadership by Mr Fagan’s elevation to the Chair is likely to be filled by the appointment of the Hon. D. Wilson. ' Clerk of the Council, Mr C. M. Bothamley, will preside at the election, which will be held in secret. During the preliminary formal business before the election the Chairman of Committees, the Hon. B. Martin, will have charge of proceedings. In accordance with the Standing Orders, all members of the Council have already been notified by registered letter that their presence is required for to-morrow’s election. A call of members will be taken before nominations for the Speakership are asked for, and those who are absent without permission of the GovernorGeneral or without some other legitimate excuse, can be dealt with for contempt at a future sitting of the Council. The new Speaker -syill wait upon the Governor-General on Wednesday for his Excellency's approval of the appointment.