Defeat Of Speaker

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1943, Page 5

Defeat Of Speaker

There is only one parallel for the defeat of the Speaker (Hon. W. E. Barnard). The sole precedent was in 1922 when the Hon. Sir Frederick Lang (was defeated by Mr. W. J. Jordan.

New Zealand’s Parliaments have had 11 Speakers, and Sir Frederick Lang and Mr. Barnard are the only two who have lost their office through personal defeat at the polls. It may also be noticed from the following list of Speakers that Mr. Barnard is the only one who has not been a Knight. In England there is a strong convention, generally observed by parties, that the Speaker of the House of Commons should not be opposed at a general election. This convention has not existed in New Zealand, although there have been occasions when the Opposition has not strenuously fought a campaign against the Speaker in office. By far the most peculiar feature of the situation now created is the fact that because the office of Speaker does not die, Mr. Barnard, no longer a member of Parliament, will continue to exercise his appointment until the new Parliament is sworn in. He will also be entitled, until that day, to draw the salary attached to the office. This is £9OO a year, plus a special allowance of £ 100. plus travelling expenses if duties should arise which demand his presence as Speaker in Wellington. The position is governed by the Civil List Act, 1920, section 3, and its amendments. The Act states that for the purposes of the section, which deals with the salary and allowances of Speakers and Chairman of Committees, the person filling the office of Speaker at the time of dissolution of Parliament shall be deemed, to. be the Speaker until the first meeting of the next Parliament.