THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 8 July 1903, Page 12

THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES.

ELECTION* OF MR MILLAR.

(Fi-.OM Our. Own" Corhesitjndext.)

WELLINGTON, July 2.

In the Uou?e this afternoon the Right Hon. Mr Seddon moved t'-e election of Mr J. A. Millar as Chairman of Committee He said he felt sure that Mr Millar v.ould act fan ly and hnpartia'ly to all. As chairman of select ocmmitte'Cs he had done excellent work. He had now been in the House fci many ye-ars, and was woll acquainted with meuibeis and with the forms of the House He thougiit Mr Millar had the nccc-sary tact aud firmness that were especially cs-ential in p Chairman of Committee*, and he exnro-sed a hope that hi^ election would be. eiinported by the gentlemen oppoMte. Ha c.vprossed a hope that in the future the House would do something m the way of 1 raining members for such positions. He suggested that they should agree upon ono or two capable men from each side of the House who would occasionally relievo the Chairman, and in this way gain experience. — (Opposition '' Hoar, hears.") Mr Witheford, in seconding the motion, said he was willing on this occasion to overlook the question that in the appointment of Speaker and Chairman the North Island was being overlooked Ho hoped, however, the time would come when the north would get its clue <-haie of representation in high H'miter 1 ?.

Mr Houston complained that in this miftttr the Premier had departed from the ruio that he himself had laid down — viz., that the br.-.t men should be chosen for the position of Speaker and Chairman of Committees. He wished no\V to enter his protest against the Premier's action. He paid this without any disparagement of Mr Millar; but there were other gentlemen from the South Island whose qualifications wore far above any the mcniber for Dunedin possessed.

Mr M'Nab paid a very wise selection had been made. — {"Rear, hear.") Months ago, when Ins own name was amongst those mentioned for the position, he had suggested Mr Millar. He believed, thai Mr Millar •would creditably fill the position. He was pleased with the idea of training men for the position as mooted by the Premier.

Mr Lawry evpre/ssed the opinion that Mr Houston was entirely wrong in making such a piotest. It might be &aid that they should not giv© Mr Miliar the position owing to the danger of his pandering to labour questions that might an&e, but lie (Mr Lawry} took it th-at jn such a position Mr Milla-i would know no labour question, but that he would take cognisance of the high and responsible dutios devolving upon him. Mr Seddon said he^ was deeply pained at the remarks of the member for the Bay of Islands. It \va« the first time during his public career as a member of the House That he had found fault*\vith him (Mr Seddon), or had come to the conclusion that his leader had made a mistake.

Mr Houston : No, not the first time — (Laughter from the Opposition.)

Mr Soddon said the hon nicmbpr's \iews mu?t havo received a shock when ho *a\v tlic uicnilir-i for Mataura rising m support of Mr Millar's election.

Mr M'Lachlan. You ha\e "squared" the menibw for Mataura all along

Mr Seddon (ignoring the interjection) wont on to explain that one reason why the honour was not being conferred upon Sir W. J. Steward was that ho had been Spcakoi of the House, and it would be derogatory to the high position he had held if he were now to become Chairman of Cominittopi.

Mr M'La<-lilan : Fudge Mr Seddon no doubt Mi Houston wa-, reforrjng to .Sir \V J Steward m making the remarks ho did. Mr Houston : Htai . heai . He has qualifications "- Mr Taylor: You uere not afraid of a no confidence motion from Sir W. J. HtGward Tho Premier: A no-confidence motion has no terror* for the Premie r at tho present time. Mr Taylor: Don"l jou be too sure of that. Mi Soddon said lie did not wish to cause any heartburning, at all, but after full in quines lio had a-certaiiied thai the general \\i«h was foi Mr Millar. Mr M'Laehlan : Not mi- : not me Mr Seddon *aid lie would be very sorry tj. ■ „. iijyone in 'lie thair v\ l.r. y,^ u ,jt,

well qualified for the position, and he thought the.ie honours should go round. Mr M'Lachlan : When will it come to my turn?

Mr Seddon said he hoped the motion would be agreed to by both sides of the House.

I Mr M'Larhlan interjected " No." and ' persisted in calling for a division. Accordingly he and *Mr Houston were appointed tellers, but these two Government supporters were the only members who voted against the motion, the other Government members and the Opposition in a body •voting for Mr Millar's election.

The \ote having been taken, Mr Millar •entered the House, and was complimented by tho Speaker.

Mr Millar tricfly thanked hon. members for the honour done him. He said he fully recognised that many members were better qualified than he to fill the position, and he felt that be was taking a considerable responsibility. It would, howovor, be his constant endeavour to fill the position with strict impartiality. Tho position was quite unsought for on his part, and he hoped when he left the chair it would be with the gocd esteem now evidenced by members on his entering it. — (Applause.)

It was noticoable that Sir W. J. Steward, who is seldom ab-cnt fiom his place, was not in the Hou;ie while the matter was bung discussed.