CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9914, 1 August 1910, Page 1

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

A THREE-CORNERED EIGHT. [From Our Corkesfonuekt.] "WELLINGTON, July 31. A vast amount of interest is being taken in the impending contest for the chairmanship of committees. Lobby rumour is hardly reliable on such a matter, because opinions aro coloured by personal leanings, but there is a very general feeling that the election of Mr Davey, the candidate selected at the Liberal caucus, is by no> means assured. He secured a majority of one vote only at the caucus, Avhich, by the way, was not full, and it is likely that the Opposition will vote for Sir. William Steward in a contest between the two Liberal candidates. Mr Fraser, the Opposition's nominee, ought not to have any chance at all, but the peculiar method of voting adopted on these occasions makes it easy for a divided majority to play unthinkingly into the hands of a solid minority. Assuming that Mr Davey and Sir William Steward faced one another at tho first vote, and that the latter member won by a small majority with the assistance of the Opposition, Mi' Eraser would then be put up against Sir William. The Opposition votes would bo transferred to Mr Eraser, and. it is quite possiblo that somo Liberals who had voted for Mr Davey would be tempted into opposing Sir William. It is suggested that if Mr Eraser secured a majority Mr Wilford, the retiring chairman, might come forward and gain the position after all.