MR. SPEAKER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 149, 25 June 1915, Page 6

MR. SPEAKER

The general public, as well as all political parties, should be well pleased with the re-election of Mr Lang, member for Manukau, as Speaker of the House of Representatives. It sometimes happens that, for rea-sons of party strategy, statecraft, or interest, a man is praised unduly, and ho is credited with a prowess which may surprise nim— ;but in this case the' congratulations of Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are certainly deserved. Mr. Lang had no ftJMcttm^jhßjlCih^^hu'igtg .tb^BgubJied

term of the late Parliament. He was thoroughly tested, and he came through with a courage equal to his courtesy. There was never a moment — to The Post's knowledge — when any consciousness of party interfered with his duty, and tliis fairness, with its firmness and dignity, won and held the respect of all members. Days still more difficult lie before him, for on the floor of the House, with a full attendance, the Government has a majority of only one over the combined Opposition of the Ward, Labour, and Social Democratic Parties. This uncomfortable evenness had a reference yesterday from Mr. Lang, who appealed for a repression of party feeling during the war. The country as a whole is heartily in agreement with that hope of peace in local politics, but such a truce should not necessarily mean an indefinite postponement of all criticism. As we remarked the other day, we believe that the public will be better pleased with straight-out speech from the Opposition instead of dark hints that destructive criticism is being held back, as an act of mercy to the Government. But the country does not want every member of the Opposition to be a vague accuser, filling Hansard with hasty statements. The presentment of a case could be well left to a few speakers — not more than half a dozen — and, in fairness to hardworked Ministers as well as in compliance with the cardinal principle of justice, the critics should take all possible care to rest their case on fact rather than on hearsay evidence.