NEW SPEAKER’S CAREER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144130, 27 June 1913, Page 2

NEW SPEAKER’S CAREER.

TWENTY YEARS IN PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, June. 27. The new Speaker of the House of Representatives is a native of Kent. He camo to New Zealand in his youth, in 1872, when he made up his mind to Settle in the Auckland province, and after looking around for a time he purchased a farm at Tuhifcaramea, in the Waikato district, where, he remained until after his election as member for Manukau. Prom the tinw that ho took up his residence at Tuhikaramea, Mr. Lang took an active interest in public matters. He occupied seats at different times on the Tunikaramoa Road Board, the Waipa County Council (of which he was, chairman), the Waikato Hospital'and Charitable Aid Board, and other bodies, He has also been a mem-: her of various agricultural societies in the Auckland district.

Mr. Lang first entered Parliament in 1893, when he was elected for Waipa, his opponent being Mr. Gerald Peacooke. In 1896, when the name of the electorate was changed to Waikato, Mr. Lang was re-elected practically: without opposition, the Rev. E. Walker being nominated against him by, the New Zealand Alliance at the last moment, in order to secure a poll on the licensing .question. In 1899 Mr. Lang defeated the Rev. Dr. Hosking, and in 1902 Mr. H. G. Greenslade unsuccessfully contested the seat. In 1905 the, position was reversed, Mr. Lang being defeated by Mr. Greenslade. The present Speaker was then out of Parliament for one year. In 1906, on the death of the late Mr. Kirkbrido (M.P. for Manukau),. Mr. Lang contested the seat at the by-election, and won it by a large majority. _ He was re-elected for the same constituency in 1908,. and again in 1911, when his majority over the second candidate was one of the largest in the Dominion. Some : time ago he sold his Waikato farm and purchased part of the Pa property near Onehnnga. - Mr. Lang was elected Chairman _of Committees last year, that ' position carrying with it the office of Speaker. As already shown, with tho exception of an interval of one year, he has occupied a seat in the House of Representatives . for nearly twenty years., Ho is one of the most highly esteemed members of the House, and his unanimous election to the high office of Speaker is regarded as a fitting tribute to his many estimable qualities.