"FATHER OF HOUSE"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 10

"FATHER OF HOUSE"

NEW HOLDER OF TITLE

SIR APIRANA NGATA

RECOBDS OF SERVICE

Perhaps the most honourable unofficial distinction that can bo gained by a member of the House of Representatives is the title of "Father of the House." This honour belongs to the member with the greatest number of years of unbi-oken service, and the man that is ablo to withstand the wliims of his constituents for a longer period than his fellow-legislators may look upo:: his record 'with a justifiable pride. 5

This session the title falls on new shoulders. Last year it, was relinquished by Sir Thomas Wilford, who, on being appointed to the High Commissionership, resigned the Hutt seat after holding it continuously from 1599. Now for the first time in the history of the New Zealand .Parliament the distinction has been gained by a member of the Maori race, Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, who has been the representative for Eastern Maori since 1906. Three years after his election he was appointed a member of the Executive Council, representing the Native race, and he was a member of the Ministry until its defeat in 1912. In 1927 he was knighted for the great work amongst his own people, and when Sir .Joseph Ward formed his Cabinet on the defeat of the Coates Ministry in 1925, Sir Apirana was given the .portfolios of Native Affairs, Cook Islands, Native Trust, Government Life Insurance, and State Fire Departments, and member of the I Executive Council representing the [ Native race. He. is the first renreseni fative of: a Maori constituency to hold !I he oflk-o p" Native Minister. Sir James Carroll, who first entered the House as the member for Eastern Maori, also held this portfolio, but he had changed over to a pakeha; constituency before assuming office. Sir 4.pirana Ngata's speeches always command the attention of the House. In the academic field he is a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws, and to his learning ho has added wide and rich experience which makes him one of the most valued members of the Legislature. As a speaker he maintains th-e high traditions of the Maori race. In a pleasant, deep voice he speaks with a, deliberation that suggests careful thought -behind every word, and his choice, of language helps to give oratorical expression to Ms utterances. PRIME MINISTER NEXT. Next to Sir Apirana Ngata in unbroken service comes the Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes), who has enjoyed the confidence of the electors of Hurunui since 1908. He thus served a long apprenticeship in the House before his elevation to Cabinet rank in 1928. Following Mr. Forbes are the Speaker, Sir Charles Statham (Dunedin Central), the Minister of Kail ways, the Hon. W. A. Vcitch (Wanganui), the Leader of the Opposition, the Bight lion. 3. G. Coat.es (Kaipara), Messrs. J. A. Young (Waikato and Hamilton), G. E. Sykes (Masterton), and Mi1. A. Harris (Waiteinata), who were first elected in ±911. Sir George Hunter, who represented Waipawa from 1896 to 1899, was again' returned in 1911, and has since held the seat continuously. Then ionics Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton), whoso election in 1913 makes .iim the "father" of the Parliamentary Labour Party. lv 1914, Mr. W.,H. Field, who had represented Otaki from 1900 to 1911, again topped the poll, and has withstood all challenges since. In 1914 also Mr. It. A. Wright, who represented Wellington Suburbs from 190S to 1911, again won the confidence of the electors, and commenced a term that is still unbroken, i The Hon. W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin I West) and Mr. T. Henarc (Northern ' Maori) were also elected in 1914, and are still undefeated.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) and Mr. J". A. Nash (Palmerston) entered the House in 1918 as the result of byelections, and Mr. Fraser has two months' seniority over Mr. Nash. From the General Election, of 1919 there are several members who have retained their seats continuously. These includo the Minister of Education, the Hon. H. Atmore (Nelson), who had been in the House previously from 1911 to 1914, Messrs. T. D. Burnett (Temuka), J. Kitchener (Waitaki), H. E. Holland (Bul!er), IS. J. Howard (Christchureh South), W. D. Lysnar. (Gisborne), W. E. Parry (Auckland Central)' M. .1. Savage (Auckland West), and D. G. Sullivan (Avon). Mr. K. S. Williams, tho present member for Bay of Islands, was first elected in 1920, and continuous service since 1922 has been enjoyed by the.Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom), Messrs. 11. T. Armstrong (Christehurch East), J. Linkiater (Manawatu), R. M'Keen (Wellington South), and W. J. Jordan (Mamikau).

It has already been mentioned that Sir George Hunter represented Waipawa from 1596 to 1899, and with tho death of Sir Joseph Ward, who was first returned for Awarua in 18S7, Sir George is the senior member of the House from the point of first election. Mr. Field, whose record has also been mentioned, comes next. Two of the present Indopendents, Mr. J. T. Hogan (Bangitikei) and Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egmout), who were successful at the last election, have previously been in the House. Mr. Hogan was the member for Wanganui from 1905 to 1911, and Mr. Wilkinson held the Egmonfc seat from 1912 to 1919. Mr. J. A. Maepherson, the present member for Oamaru, has represented tiio electorate for two previous terms, 1903----08 and 1921-25. Mr. H. ML. Campbell. Hawkes Bay's nominee, also served in tlio 1911-14 and 1919-22 Parliaments. The Minister of Labour, the Hon. S. G. Smith, won Taranaki at a by-election m 1918, and represented tho constituency until 3,925. In 1928 he stood for New Plymouth, and was successful. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. fie la Perrelle, was Awimia's member from 1922 1o 1925. Ho was defeated at tha 3925 General Election, but came back in 1925. Air. F. Liingstone won Waimarino for Labour, in 1;>22, lost it again in 1925, but turned the tables at the last election. Mr. A. Hamilton was swit to Ilie House from "Wallace in 1919. He was beaten in 1922, but. topped t-lie poll otu-o mure in 1925 and 1028. Mr. IX .Tones (Mid-Canter-bury) had a somewhat similar experience. He entered the House for TCaiapot in" 15J10, hut failed lo beat Mr. D. . Ruddn in 1922. Prom 1925 to 1928 Mr. Jones represented Ellesmere, which be- ] came merged in what is now known as ' the Mid-Canterbury electorate, and in 1928 he was again returned. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. A. J. Murdoch) made his first appearance in Parliament in 1922 as the member for Marsden. He went down the following election, but won back a majority of the votes in 1928. After winning Dunerlin North at a by-election in 1922, Mr. J. W. Muuro retained the seat at tho General Election later in the same year, but was beaten in 1925. However, his candidature, was approved by tho voters in 19281 Mr. J. O'Brien was,another successful Labour candidate in 1922, beating Mr. T. X Y. Sedrton, who won the seat again' in 192.", but. lost if; once more to Mr. O'Brien in 3928. Mr. H. Semplc capture'! Wellington South in 191S on the death (if Mr. Hindmarsh,

but at the General Election in the following year was defeated by Mr. G. Mitchell. He made his reappearance in Parliament two years ago, wheu he turned his attention to Wellington East. Mr. F. Lye (Waikato) is another member who served in the Houso from 1922 to 1925, was defeated at the end of that term, but came back in 1928. THE NEWER MEMBERS. In the present House Messrs. H. G. Dickie- (Patea), 11. Holland (Reform, Christchurch North), H. 8. S. Kyle (Eiccarton), W. L. Martin (Raglan), A. M. Samuel (Thames), and F.-'Waite (Clutha) have been returned for a second term, and the new members at last election were the Minister of Justice, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Oroua), the Post-master-General, tho Hon. J. B. Donald (Auckland East), the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stnllworthy (Eden), the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. AY. B. Taverner (Dunedin South), Messrs. A. E. Ansell (Chalmers), AY. E. Barnard (Napier), G. C. Black (Motueka), AA r. A. Bodkin' (Central Otago), AY. J. Broadfoot (Waitomo), 0. Carr (Timaru), 0. H. Chapman (Wellington North), C. H. Clinkard (Botorua), J. S. Fletcher (Grey Lynn), R. AT. Hawke (Kaiapoi), B. F. Healy (Wairau), Colonel T. AY. M'Donald (Wairarapa), J. N. Massey (Franklin), G. C. Munns (Eoskill), W. J. Polson (Stratford), A. W. Hall (Hauraki), and Capt. H. M. Kushworth (Bay of Islands). Mr. W. Nash (Lower Hutt), and Mr. AY. P. Endean (Parnell), who were successful in by-elections during the recess, are experiencing their first session, and Mr. Endean has yet to make his maiden speech.