LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 194, 18 July 1939, Page 7

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

ELECTION OF SPEAKER. WELLINGTON, July 18. The main business of the Legislative Council when it resumes to-day will be the election of a Speaker in succession to Sir Walter Carncross, who retired from this position on July 7 after a record term of 21 years. It is taken for granted in political quarters that the new Speaker will be the Leader of the Council (Hon. M. Fagan). The vacancy left by Mr. Fagan’s elevation to the chair is expected to be filled by tlie appointment of Hon. D. Wilson, a member of the Council.

Tho Clerk of the Council (Mr. C. M. Bothamley) will preside at the election, which will be held in secret. During the preliminary formal business before the election the chairman of committees (Hon. B. Martin) will have charge of the proceedings. In acordanee with the Standing Orders all members of the Council have already been notified .by registered letter that their presence is required for to-day’s election. A call of members will he taken before nominations for the Speakership are asked for, and those who are absent without the permission of tho Governor-General or without some other legitimate excuse enn he dealt with for contempt at a future sitting of the Council. The new Speaker will wait upon the Governor-General to-morrow for His Excellency’s approval of the appointment.