Sir Basil Arthur nominated to be Speaker

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 2

Sir Basil Arthur nominated to be Speaker

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington The long-serving member of Parliament for Timaru, Sir Basil Arthur, has been nominated by Labour to be chosen by Parliament as its new Speaker. When announcing the Labour caucus choice for the nomination as Speaker, the Prime Minister-elect, Mr Lange, joked that “At least we will not have to give him a knighthood.” Sir Basil was elected to Parliament in 1963 and was Minister of Transport and Railways during the term of the 1972-75 Labour Government. He was particularly associated with decisions on the number and siting of New Zealand’s container ■ ports. In Opposition since then, he has been concerned with lands issues, and particularly with future prospects for the South Island highcountry runs, of which there are a number in his expanded electorate. Sir Basil, who is 55, has been dogged by indifferent

health in the last two years and this was a major reason why the Labour caucus did not vote to reinstall him in the new Labour Cabinet. The nomination for Deputy Sepaker and Chairman of Committees is Mr John Terris (Western Hutt). Mr Terris, aged 44, entered Parliament in 1978 when he regained his electorate, which had gone to National in 1975. He is a

long-serving member of the Hutt. City Council. Mr Terris has a background in broadcasting and was prominent in local government and broadcasting issues while in Opposition. Both Sir Basil and Mr Terris must await formal confirmation of their appointments until Parliament sits and a motion for election can be put to the House.