THE NEW PARLIAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 22 November 1928, Page 5

THE NEW PARLIAMENT

QUESTION OF SPEAKERSHIP As it is regarded as certain that Parliament will be summoned before Christmas in order to determine the state of parties, interest is now centred on the likely date (says "The Post"). At present Parliament stands prorogued until Thursday, 6th December. It would be necessary to give about a fortnight's notice of the intention to call Parliament together, as there are certain preliminary arrangements to be made, but it is considered that even if the session did not open until a few days later than 6th December there would still bo ample time before Christmas for the party position to be defined. If no undue .waste of time is incurred in reaching the division stage the session need hardly last more than a week. Once a new Government is installed —it is generally assumed that the United and Labour Parties will combine to vote the Coates administration out —it will he for the politicians to decide the future, course, of events. The Reform Party caucus, therefore, will probably have to settle the momentous question as to whether a. Govenment headed by Sir Joseph IVVard is to bo saved from defeat on amendments which the Labour Party may choose to launch at odd times, or whether another General Election is to come earlier than the normal time in 1931. Besides discussing the Governmental position, the party caucuses will have to devote some attention to the question of' the Speakership of the new [louse. There is a good deal of speculation goin" on in this connection, and there are those who believe it to be an open question whether Sir Charles Statham will' again receive the appointment which is (he gift of the House. The appointment of Speaker will be the first duty of members of the House of Representatives when Parliament assembles. Mr J. McCombs was the Labour nominee on a former occasion. As Sir Charles Statham is now a straight-out Independent, and his vote cannot make a great deal of difference in the present state of parties, it may be held that no material gain is to Ik; effected by appointing any other member lo the Chair. In the circumstances now prevailing the appointment of u Speaker is not likely lo provide a lest question such as ii has done on other occasions in New Zealand's political history.