CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 20 August 1910, Page 5

CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES

After being in a quandary for about eight weeks (writes the Taranaki News correspondent) the Government has at last made up its mind to nominate a member for the vacant position of Chairman of Committees of the House of Representatives. At the Government caucus early in the session, it was decided that Mr Davey should fill the position, but Sir William Steward was also a candidate, and he was only one vote behind Mr Davey. There seems every probability that, with some assistance from the Opposition, Sir William Steward would beat the Government nominee. When it came to a vote in the House, the Government therefore held off in regard to its nomination of Mr Davey, and meantime Mr Massey complicated matters by giving notice to move that Mr W. Fraser be appointed chairman. The Government say that they could not carry Mr Davey's appointment, and, after a long wait, they have now decided to run Mr Colvin for the position. Mr Colvin is very popular but quite inexperienced for the difficult position of Chairman of Committees. As Sir Wm. Steward and probably Mr Fraser will still be candidates for the position, the situation is still interestino;, and a fairly close vote between Sir Wm. Steward and Mr Colvin may be expected.