SPEAKER OF COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20304, 11 July 1929, Page 12

SPEAKER OF COUNCIL.

SIR W. CARNCROSS AGAIN.

" FATHER OF PARLIAMENT."

[ny telegraph.—special r.ErorTi:n.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

Sir Walter Carncross v.;is unanimously re-clcctcd Speaker of the Legislative Council at a special meeting to-day. Fiom the point of view of continuous service, Sir Walter lias earned the title <>f "Fatlior of Parliament." The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, is the only member now in the Ilonse of Representatives who was there when Sir Walter Carncross entered

Sir Walter Carncross was elected t<-> represent Taieri in the House in 1890 when the Atkinson Ministry was defeated ami Mr. Ballancc came into office. For 12 years he continued to sit ns a member for Taieri, but he did not oiler his services at the 1902 elections, ns he had decided to tako up his residence in the North Island. Li March, 1903, Sir Walter Carncross was called to the Legislative. Council, lie has now been in Parliament for 39 years, and has been present at every session sinco 1890.

In the House of Representatives lie was one of the Whips for the Liberal Party and occasionally acted as Chairman of Committees. Of those who were the colleagues of Sir Walter in the Legislative Council in 1905 not ono lias his name still upon the roll. Sir Walter was appointed Cha'.rman of Committees in 1910, and that position he held for eight years. His election on each occasion was unanimous. He was elected Speaker unopposed in 1918, was reelected in 1924, and to-day was again :-e----turned to office.

The galleries were cleared during the election. It was later announced that Sir Walter had been elected unopposed. In returning thanks, the Speaker said he had tried to the best of his ability to live up to the example of patience, courtesy and impartiality set by the men who had preceded him in the office.

Congratulations were extended to Sir Walter by the Leader of tho Council, the Hon. T. K. Sidey, on behalf of the Government and tho Council. Sir Francis Bell referred to the care with which Sir Walter Carncross had guarded the rights and privileges of the Council. On the motion of Mr. Sidey, it was decided that the Council should adjourn until Wednesday, July 24.