POLITICAL TOPICS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1909, Page 3

POLITICAL TOPICS.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES. MR. WILFORD ELECTED. In tho House of Representatives <.n Saturday night, the Premier moved that .Mr. T. M. Wilford be appointed Chairman of Committees of the House. He hoped, he said, that the selection would be as unanimous as that of Speaker. Mr. •Wilfovd's strict impartiality was recognised when he temporarily occupied a similar position on a former occasion •There were many members of the 'House .who were well qualified to fill the position — (Mr. Mtissey : Hear, hear.) — but the others on the dominant side of the House would not press their claims. Mr. .Wilford had been for three terms in Parliament, and he had displayed market ability. His knowledge of the Standing Orders was a very thorough one, and he felt that he would be elected unanimously. A suggestion had been made that the election of chairman should be postponed till next session. He did not agree with that view. On the score of expense there should be no objection — the difference, if a Chairman of Committees was elected now was only a matter of £50. He proposed Mr. 'Wilford with absolute confidence. Mr. Massey said he was sorry that he was unable to agree with the Prime 'Minister, and moved, as an amendment, "That the election of Chairman of Committees stand over till next session." In 1906, when circumstances were similar, the election of chairman was held over till the second session. Sir Joseph : We did so in 1902. . Mr. Massey : I am referring to j 1906. He went on to say that the duties of the chairman this session would be to put one question. For one quarter of an hour he would have lo be paid about £80. - This was a time of retrenchment, when married men were being turned out of employment in scores. There was another reason why he objected. There was a gentleman absent at the present time who for one- Parliament occupied the position of 'Speaker. He referred to Sir 'William Steward, who was a candidate for the position on the last occasion. He did not know Sir 'William Steward's mind, but he wanted to ask the premier, •was he acting fairly, was he playing the game? At least he should give Sir William Steward an opportunity of being present. For this reason he moved the amendment. He was not speaking for any member of his party, and he did i not wish to offer any obstruction whatever. 'Mr. Newman (Manawatu) seconded the amendment. Mr. Wilford said it was not usual for a candidate to make a speech before the result was declared, but there was a precedent — when Mr. Guinness was appointed chairman. He did not consider the salary, but he had an ambition to attain the position. If there was tho slightest objection on the part of any member of the House, he would forego the salary, and was r|uite prepared to hand the extra money^for the whole term to the Consolidated Fund. (Hear, hear.) The amendment was defeated on a division by 44 votes to 27, and Vm another division being called for Mr. | Wilford was declared elected by 44 votes I to 27. Mr. Speaker congratulated 'Mr. Wilford on attaining the high and honourable position. 'Mr. Wilford assured the House that it Mould be his aim to be fair and impartial, yet firm. He would have no party feeling, and he would Banish from his mind remembrance of *what had just occurred. So far as salary wa/f toncerned, his salary would begin on Ist October. (Applause.) "THAT GALLANT PLACE." During his speech on the Address-in-Reply, Mr. Russell gave unequivocal support to the Government proposals regarding the Dreadnought, 'representation at the conference, and the prorogation. He mentioned that he was in Melbourne when New Zealand's gift was announced, and he was struck with the enthusiasm of the ex-New Zealanders there and the envy of Australians. He was at a public meeting in Sydney called in support of a proposal that Australia should give a Dreadnought. At this meeting Mr. George Reid had said "If you want to find the real leader of Australasia in Imperial matters you need not look for him in the Island Continent, but in that gallant place, New Zealand." Mr. Russell also dealt with local defence matters, and said that he was against universal military training, as it was not necessary,, and it would disorganise and dislocate a number of our industries. He believed in volunteering, and the establshment and assistance of rifle clubs. He advocated the establishment of two ammunition factories in the Dominion, and the making of one. of our ports absolutely impregnable.