Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Grey River Argus, 19 June 1913, Page 2

Grey River Argus and Blackball News

Delivered every morning in Greymontb, -Kumara, Hokitika, Dobson, Wallsend, Taylor, ville, Brunnerton, Stillwater. Ngahere, BlnckbaP, Nelson Creek, Ahanrn, Ikamatua, Waiuti., Reefton, Cronoduu, Runauga, Dunollie, Cobden, Baxtms, Kokiri, Patara, Kaimata, Aratika Kotuku, Moana, Ruru, Te Kinga, Ro&mauu, Poorua, Inchbonnie, Jacksons nnd Otira:

THURSDAY, JUNE iq, 1013

The unfortunate passing of Sir Arthur Guinnoss has been the cause of considerable stir in our little political world. Both sides of the House arc more or less interested in the appointment that • has been rendered necessary ' by the death of a Speaker who had come to be pretty generally regarded as a most acceptable holder of ihe ' important office. While he was not distinguished as a member with commanding .ability or an intense politician, 'he was 'the possessor of certain mental qualities that tended to make him a decided success as Speaker. At any rate by the display of thos^ qualities he helped to raise die status of the position of Speaker a notch higher in the scale of qualifications of anyone aspiring to the office.' Hence the very j keen interest that is being evinced, in ] the selec. km of a successor to the late Sir Arthur Guinness. • While the num- i ber of eligible aspirants is, of course, rai'hor limited, as must be expected in ihe circumstances, there is never any i lack of^ members ready to undertake i the dutips and responsibilities of the pincc although the House may not be ' much concerned as to the politics of ;anyonc who is placed in the chair, they have a very pronounced interest in selecting a gentleman who is equal 'to the duties and whose, rulings will be accented as one final and again s-t nyhich there can be no appeal. Of course ihe matter of the appointment is ' one that is entirely in the hands of the G'ovcrment. and thc-iir nominee must be accepted with a good grace whe.hcr it is approved of or no:. It goes without saying that Government would not willingly nominate an incompetent or unsuitable person, -inasmuch? as" they, dare not shock the proprieties any more than anybody else. In the selection of a speaker party politics are not of so paramount a consideration as in the ordinary groove of political Husiness. The Government will realise this, and feel correspondingly free to give their support independently to the most competent person to fill" the office. Six names have already beon mentioned as probable candidates. Some of the names are obviously out of such a coivest and iiv-ed not be' considered further; but those that are left may cause a little disquietude amongst the Government camp followers. A northern journal has suggested that the Hon. W. Fraser. Min-. ; ister of Public Works, might be invited to accept the dignity. When i asked last night. if he would care to a make any observation on this suggestion, Mr. Fraser merely declined with j "No, thank you." ,- One authority '■ pointed out that it 'was necessary, in ; considering .this suggestion: to rem em- ; ber the valuable knowledge acquired 'by Mr. Fraser during his recessional ■ travels as Minister of Public Works, ; and this knowledge, would. ,in a very i'. r .r." measure at all events, be sacrificed through his acceptance of J he .Speakership. "His successor in office ■ would be an uninformed tyro," it was ; said, "and the Government would" suf- • fer accordingly." The conjecture is | scouted "in local political circles. So [far as it is practicable to. ascertain .any "general feeling, '"' it- apn^arp Ihighlv probable that the ■office will be ; offered to Mr. F. W. Lang. M.P.for 'Manukau and present Chairman of jCorrmittees. Despite .lvs comparaitively short experience in the latter of}fice—he was appointed to the position • "."lv on the accesison of the Mpssev [Minis try .-last session— nhe is looked mi:on as the natural successor to Sir Ar-thur-Guinness. v Hc hag so far given (no ground for. the corriecttire that. ; p view of his short experience: he Avoi ll^ decline' nomination. Moreover,..-^ the TV-isp ' it. is enns^derod. has suffic'^nt. collective sense of decorum 1 anrl def^r--r.'irp to the Chair that it ?\\-<vil'-i- hr .;<■«- dulgent to a new ocennant of this d:"---nified office. and ; would o - ive him n l'bieral measure of 'support in -hi? ses^id^ of apprenticeship. The likeb'hnod of M . long 'i.nfl storrhy session makes ...tlv loss of an able and' exposure'' 1 . Snp'ilcor, rnmmn.ndin 0 ' tji" confidenr-r---of; both, political parties, -far. mnr?vuntinvcly aad .'.'regrettable. . Whether, .pf-

course,. the nomination of Mr. Lang would be well received Oh Opposition benches' is not a matter of much concern if the Government commands "a working majority. Should Mr. Lang accept the Governmemit nomination, and be elected by the House, the Chairmanship of Comimttees will be vacant and two names are menioned as likely aspirants to this oflice— Mr. E Newman,M.P. for Rangitikei, and Mr. A. S. Malcolm, M.P. for Clutha. Mr. Malcolm has also been suggested in connection with the Speakership, bu. his inexijerierice is considered to be against the chaaiees of his selection. Other names put forward are those of Mr :T. M. Wilford, who has an excellent knowledge of the Standing OrrWs'"a.nd has previously .filled with ability; the office of Chairman of Committees; Mr- J. A. Millar, who has .lko.irikl experience of the lesser digpity, but whose health makes evc;n his f'- ; end's dbuht whether he could stand the strain, long hours, and incessant clo c e->ttc!-> ,; .on demanded of a Speaker; md Mr. G M. Thomson, of Dunedin. p'n'til the Government nomination is known, however, nothing of a. definite Character' can be stated.