HIGH OFFICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22378, 26 March 1936, Page 13

HIGH OFFICE

MR. BARNARD'S POSITION

MAINTAINING TRADITIONS CONFIDENCE OF MEMBERS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday After his election unopposed to the Speakership of the House of Representatives to-day in succession to Sir Charles Statham, who has retired, Mr. W. E. Barnard, Government member for Napier, was led to the dais on which stands the Speaker's chair, and from the steps he assured members of his determination to maintain Parliamentary traditions. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Government — Manukau), who put forward the official nomination, said that Mr. Barnard had been a member of the House for over seven years, during which time he had particirfarly interested himsolf in and made himself fully acquainted with the procedure of Parliament. "Mr. Barnard's professional training and career," said Mr. Jordan, "have equipped him with that clear and impartial judgment which is so necessary in the discharge of the duties of the office and whi<jh has been so admirably exercised in the House by the late Speaker, Sir Charles Statham, and previous Speakers. We are confident that to these great Speakers Mr. Barnard will make an able and worthy successor. Arduous Nature of Duties "The position calls f not only for mental alertness and complete knowledge of the Standing Orders, but also for considerable physical strength, as at times the duties occupy long hours and are arduous. Mr. Barnard possesses all the necessary qualities and ho will, we ara sure, preside over our proceedings, as well as represent our branch of the Legislature, with dignity and uphold the rights and privileges of members."

The nomination was seconded by Mr. R. McKeen (Government —Wellington South), who said the occasion was historic as Mr. Barnard would be the first member of the Labour Party to be elected to the high office of Speaker. Speaking from a bench at the back of the chamber, Mr. Barnard said he understood that for something like two centuries it had been the custom for the person proposed as Speaker to plead his unworthiness for that office and to beg to be excused. He felt some sympathy for that old-time practice. However, he submitted himself to the judgment of the House. Predecessor's Fine Example

Mr. Barnard was then escorted by his proposer and seconder to the edge of the dias. Again thanking members for their confidence and goodwill he said the Speakership was of traditionally high importance, modelled as it was on that of the House of Commons. The duties of firmness, tact and impartiality, which were expected from the Speaker, had always been faithfully carried out by his predecessors. He would be the tenth Speaker in the line of succession since responsible Government was established in New Zealand in 1854. One was glad to recognise that the standard of chairmanship of the House had invariably been high. "I have sat in this House under one Speaker only, Sir Charles Statham, and [ am glad to testify to the ability and scrupulous fairness with which he carried out his duties," said Mr. Barnard. Tibetan Stanza Quoted

Mr. Barnard remarked that it would seem strange for one who had talked not a little for some years to keep for the most part silent, but the thought expressed in a stanza from a Tibetan writing was comforting. "Much talking is a source of danger. Silence is the means of avoiding misfortune. The talkative parrot is shut up in a cage. Other birds which cannot talk flv about freely." The Speaker could not fly about, as he was fixed to the chair, added Mr. Barnard, but his mind was perfectly free and he certainly would be able to avoid the misfortune which sometimes came from overmuch speech—talking.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, who was loudly applauded as he rose to speak, said it was a privilege to bp able on behalf of the Government to congratulate Mr. Barnard on the high office to which he had been elected.

"I have been 15 or 16 years in the House now," added Mr. Savage, "and one can perhaps extend sympathy as well as congratulations to the Speaker, for it is a fairly worrying position to occupy. We have every reason to bo proud of past Speakers and we have no reason to doubt the ability of Mr. Barnard to rise to the same heights as his predecessors. I am sure he will be able to do that."

Congratulations by Opposition

The Lender of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who was also applauded, said it gave him great pleasure to join with the Prime Minister in congratulating Mr. Barnard. Those who had sat in Parliament with the member for Napier knew that he could be entrusted with such a high office and that he would worthily uphold the traditions of the past. He could rest assured that the members on the Opposition benches would do everything possible to assist him. The Rt. Hon. J. G. CoAtes (Opposition, Kaipara) said he wished merely to express personal congratulations. It was some years since he and Mr. Barnard had 'first met as political opponents. but perhaps the new Speaker owed his position in some respects to an election contest in Kaipara in 1925. Mr. Coates added that he had never had a fairer political opponent than Mr. Barnard and he assured the new Speaker of his own personal loyalty and support. ]\fr. R. A. • W rig'it (IndependentWellington Suburbs) added his con-) gratulations, after which Mr. Barnard again returned thanks. The House adjourned fat 3.30 p.m. OPPOSITION MEMBERS QUESTIONS FOR DECISION [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] "WELLINGTON. "Wednesday The Leader of the Opposition, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said this morning that not all the members of the Opposition were in Wellington yet, but those present would hold an early meeting. Among the guestions to be discussed was the appointment of another Whip, in the last Parliament Air A J. Murdoch (Marsden) was senior Whip, and Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton) junior Whip. At the last election Mr. Murdoch was defeated, but Mr. Kyle retained his seat.

Mr. Forbes said he regarded the present session more in the nature of «u emergency gathering, and he was hopeful of tlie business being expedited so that Parliament could meet again later, assembling perhaps about .the time of an ordinary session*