SPEAKER’S DEFEAT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 2, 28 September 1943, Page 6

SPEAKER’S DEFEAT

Only One Parallel Recorded ODD SITUATION CREATED

A situation with only one previous parallel iu New Zealand’s constitutional history has been created by the defeat in Napier of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Barnard, who has held that office since the Labour Partv was first returned with a majority ill 1935. The solitary precedent was provided in 1922, when Sir Frederic Lang was beaten in Manukau —later renamed Onehunga—by the Labour candidate, Mr. W. J. Jordan. New Zealand's Parliaments have had .11 Speakers, and Sir Frederic Lang and Mr. Barnard are tlie only two who have lost their office through personal defeat at the polls. It may also he noticed’ from the following list of speakers that Mr. Barnard _is. the only one who lias not 'been a Knight: Sir Charles Clifford. 1554-1SG1; Sir David Munro, IS6I-1S70: Sir Francis Dillon Bell, 187.1-1875; Sir William Fitzherbert, 1576-1579; Sir G. Maurice O’Rorke, 1579-1890 and 1894-1902; Sir William Steward, IS9I-1893: Sir Arthur Guinness, 1903-1913; Sir Frederic Lang. 1913-1922; Sir Charles Statham, 1923-1935; and Mr. W. E. Barnard. 1935-1943.. In England there is a strong convention, generally observed by parties, that the Speaker of the House of Commons should not be opposed at a general election. This convention has not existed in New Zealand, though there have been occasions when the Opposition has not strenuously fought a campaign against the Speaker in office. By far the most peculiar feature of the situation now created is the fact that because the office of Speaker does not die, Mr. Barnard, no longer a member of Parliament, will continue to exercise his appointment till the new Parliament is sworn in. He will also be entitled, till that day, to 'draw the salary attached to the office. This is £9OO a year, plus a special allowance of £lOO, plus travelling expenses if duties should arise which demand his presence as Speaker in Wellington. The position is governed by tlie Civil List Act, .1920, section,3, and its amendments. The Act states that for the purposes of the section, which deals with the .salary and allowances of Speakers and Chairmen of Committees, the person filling the office of Speaker at the time of the dissolution of Parliament shall be deemed to be the Speaker till the first meeting o£ the next Parliament. Election of Successor".

When that Parliament assembles a curious little ceremony is enacted. It becomes the first duty of the new House to elect its Speaker, and it falls to the lot of the Clerk of the House to initiate the acts which lead to the election. Because he is not a member of Parlament he may not address the House. Instead, in dumb show, he indicates tlie member who takes possession of tlie floor to propose the new Speaker, -by pointing toward him. He does the same for the seconder of the motion. When the House has made its decision, the proposer and the seconder take the appointed Speaker and conduct him to the Clerk of the House, who duly swears him in.

Mr. Barnard’s defeat raises another question. The office of Speaker is traditionally in the gift of the Government. and though it could perhaps happen that a member of the Opposition might be chosen as Speaker, speculation as to the identity of Mr. Barnard’s successor will centre rattier on tlie ranks of Labour. Since he followed Mr. ,T. A. Lee in opposition to the Government Mr. Barnard’s position has been peculiar, and no doubt Government members have already thought about a successor. His name will become known when the new Parliament assembles, but the Government would be following a well-established precedent if it promoted the Chairman of Committees. This office lias frequently been regarded by New Zealand Legislatures as an apprenticeship for the higher office. Under Labour the chair-manship-has belonged to Mr. 11. McKeen, who lias been returned as tlie Government member for M’eliingtpn South. However, the name of Mr. F. IV. Schramm (Auckltui’d East), who is a lawyer by profession, is being freely mentioned as tlie next Speaker.