THE SILENT MEMBER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3132, 28 August 1922, Page 2

THE SILENT MEMBER.

Mr Jolm Hope, M.P., Coalition Li'boral member for Perwick, claims to have broken all parliamentary record* by having sat in the House of Commons for twenty-two years ■without making his maiden speech. He is a regular attendant at the sessions of the House, has survived seven hot elections in his district, proving Ids popularity ther ( >, hut his voice lias never been heard by In's colleagues except in conversation. "When asked recently why lie never spoke in the House, he said: “A man can do more in life by not talking about it. When I first entered the House I never had any other idea but that i would make speeches, but as time has gone on the occasion has never arisen when it would not be just as well to leave the speech- undelivered. T 'fi have been tempted more than once, jvjand friends have urged me to make my HH maiden speech, but I have not, simply liberalise it wasn’t necessary for the Ifgood of the country. Now I am afraid samy maiden speech will never he doffllivered.” \ I His prolonged silence is not due to jjiliability to speak, for Mr Hope gets Jalong very well conversationally- ont- || side the House. He is regarded as a ■.successful member, and he says that (whenever lie wants anything be goes ;ij directly to the itesponsiblc Minister, fa Hecanse be has never attempted' to (browbeat Ministers across the floor of ■t he House, lie finds he is always reHieived with cordiality and he gener"ally obtains satisfaction. That is one t*of the reasons Mr Hope maintains what j be calls his .successful silence. & There are only two records in GbmHmons to compare with his. There ■was the case of William Hamilton in ■the eighteenth century, who was known ■ns “Single Speech Hamilton.” During In long service he made but one speech. ® There is a> legend of another member fflwho spoke only once in the House in lltha hearing of Iris colleagues and on ■that occasion he asked that a window ■behind him he closed.