THE SPEAKERSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 4

THE SPEAKERSHIP.

The name of Mr Statham has come into prominence in connection with the coming election of Speaker of the newlyelected House of Representatives. The New Zealand Times, a Libera! journal, regards it as almost certain that the appointment will fall to the member for Dunedin Central. When Sir Frederick Lang was defeated last month we observed that Mr Statham possessed qualifications which placed him in the front rank of those who were fitted to aspire to the high and honourable office

of the Speakership. The accident of political circumstances makes it possible at the present time for the House to exercise its judgment in the selection of Speaker to a degree which is not always possible when any one party is of commanding strength and can, iu effect, by reason of its- majority, control the appointment to the office. Mr Statham occupies a position of independence in politics, and it is probable that this fact alone will make his probable elevation to the Speakership unusually acceptable to a majority of the members. There is no question of his integrity and fairmindedness, -'and if he is appointed to the office he will certainly bring desirable qualities of tact and impartiality to the performance of his duties. Upon occasion he has occupied the Chair when the House has been in Committee of the Whole, he is familiar with the Standing Orders of Parliament, and his legal training and his judicial mind would be valuable assets to the occupant of the Speaker’s chair. If Mr Statham can be persuaded by his fellow-cepre-sentatives that by accepting the office be would be rendering useful service to his country, he may, we think, bo induced to allow his name to be submitted to the members of the House, and we have no doubt at all that, in the event of his election, the House will have every reason to be satisfied witli the choice it has made.