LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1939, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

MR FAGAN ELECTED SPEAKER. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 18. The Legislative Councl met at 2.30 p.m. A call of the Council was taken, and absent members were excused from attendance. The Council then went into camera to elect a Speaker. Mr Mark Fagan, who has been Leader of the Council since the Labour Government came into office, was chosen by a. unanimous vote as Speaker of the Council. Mr Fagan thanked the member for his election, and promised to safeguard all of the privileges and rights of the Chamber.

Every member of the Council congratulated Mr Fagan on his election, and all spoke of his high qualities as a leader, and of his great popularity with members, irrespective of their political outlook. Attention to the fact that .Mr Fagan began life as a pit boy in Australian tin mines was recalled by Mr T. O’Byrne to illustrate how Mr Fagan’s qualities had enabled him to win liis way in the world. Mr W- Perry said that Mr Fagan’s election was heartening to all who believed in democracy, because it showed that grit and determination together. with perseverance and fair play, could raise a member of a democratic community from a lowly position to one of the highest in the land.

The Council adjourned at 4.15 p.muntil .the ringing of the bells. When the Council resumed at 8.10 p.m., Mr D. Wilson (Wellington) announced that he had been chosen as Leader. He appealed’ to members for their co-operation, insofar as it lay in his power, he would go along the lines followed by his predecessor, and he expressed the hope that members would be as happy under his leadership as under that of Mr Fagan.

The Leader was congratulated by Messrs T. Brindle, B. Martin, R. Mawhete, J. Cotter, and J. McLeod.