SPEAKER ELECTED BY PARLIAMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 12

SPEAKER ELECTED BY PARLIAMENT.

SIR CHARLES STATHAM RECEIVES UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF HOUSE.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, December 4. The opening of Parliament in June is generally associated with dull days, if not wintry weather, but in December the whole aspect is changed. Blue sky and bright sunshine were the predominating features to-day, when the first session of the twenty-third Parliament was ushered in. In view of the surprising developments at the recent election the event was fraught with more than ordinary interest, which fact was manifested by the large crowds which assembled in the vicinity of Parliament buildings as the opening hour approached. As the ceremony, unlike to-morrow’s, was confined to the chambers of both Houses the curiosity of these onlookers was not rewarded further than to see members arriving, the newly elected representatives being objects of special observation and criticism.

Inside the House of Representatives there were crowded galleries on every hand, and as members took their seats the public were tensely engaged sorting them out. Great changes were at once apparent, more in the state of parties than in personnel. Reform, which once flowed over three-fourths of the chamber, has now shrunk to one-fourth. The Opposition benches, no longer occupied by Labour, are filled by United men, who for the most part are new to the scene, while Labour increased in numbers, but shorn of official status, fills up the cross benches under the ladies’ gallery. In this part of the House there sits in conspicuous isolation Mr Rushworth, sole representative of the Country Party. Scarcely had members thus roughly grouped themselves than Black Rod entered and summoned them to proceed to the Legislative Council to hear his Excellency the Governor-General’s commission read. Here the proceedings were distinctly formal. Sir Walter Carncross, Sir Francis Bell, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and Sir William HallJones represented his Excellency, the first-named reading his Excellency’s announcement that Parliament had been summoned for the transaction of business, and bidding members of the House repair to their own chamber and elect a Speaker. These proceedings were watched by almost empty galleries, the public apparently sensing that although the occasion was interesting nothing that would happen in connection with it would be noteworthy. MEMBERS SWORN IN. On. members of the House returning to their own chamber, the scene was altogether different, for there was an air of animation and expectation on every side. Members were first called to the table in groups of four, where they took the oath of allegiance in the presence of the Clerk. The great majority performed this obligation in orthodox fashion, but Radicals such as Mr P. Fraser (Wellington Central) and Mr Howard (Christchurch South) did so by affirmation. In this connection there was trouble with Mr M’Combs (Lyttelton), who wished to affirm with a group taking the oath, but this the Clerk would not permit, stating that Mr M’Combs must affirm with the others at the end of the ceremony. “That is no good to me,” remarked Mr M’Combs. He therefore neither took the oath nor affirmed, and so will not be able to participate in to-morrow s business till he does one or the other. ELECTION OF SPEAKER. The formality of swearing-in finished. Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) rose in his place on the Reform side and in nervous, tremulous tones moved that Sir Charles Statham be elected Speaker of the House. In doing so, he said he had great pleasure in moving the motion. Ever since its inception the House had been fortunate in being able to secure men of high and great repute to occupy the Speaker’s chair. He could remember when, in 1854, Sir Charles Clifford was elected first Speaker, and Sir Charles had been followed by Sir David Monro, Sir F. D. Bell, Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir Maurice O’Rorke, Sir Arthur Guinness, Sir William Jukes Stewart and Sir Frederick Dang. All had maintained the high tradition of the office, and in 1923 the House was fortunate in being able to secure the services of Sir Charles Statham. All members realised the value of those services, and how fortunate the House was in again having the opportunity of selecting a man so highly qualified to fill the position. Mr Macpherson (Oamaru) seconded the motion. He said he was certain Sir George Hunter’s eulogy of Mr Statham was nothing more than that to which Sir Charles was entitled. As past Speakers had done, Sir Charles Statham had maintained the dignity of the position with every credit, and he (Mr Macpherson) felt satisfied Sir Charles would carry on and raise his office to an even higher standard than in years gone by, if that were possible. He wished to compliment Sir Charles more particularly on his assistance to young members in the past. Mr Macpherson concluded by stating that he felt sure all members would do all they could to enable the Speaker to preserve the dignity of the House as he had maintained it in the first six years of office.

.Mr Peter Fraser (Wellington Central) said that on behalf of Labour Party he wished to endorse the remarks of the previous speakers. He had sat under Sir Charles Statham for six years, and he was sure no better selection was possible. He was confident that it was the unanimous opinion of all old members that Sir Charles carried the complete confidence of the whole House. Sir Charles Statham, from the floor of the House, thanked the speakers for their remarks. He said he realised fully the responsibility of the position, and he submitted himself to the will of the House.

Sir Charles Statham was unanimously elected, there being no other nomination, and on being escorted to the

chair he again returned his acknowledgment to the House. CONGRATULATIONS. After the Speaker had taken the chair, the Prime Minister, Mr Coates, offered Sir Charles Statham his congratulations. In doing so he said he felt he was only echoing the sentiments of every member of the House. As they listened to the names mentioned by Sir George Hunter everj' member must have realised the standard that had been set by Speakers in this country. and he considered Sir Charles Statham had added lustre to this high office. He had shown fair play and a non-partisan spirit to every member of the House. His complete mastery and knowledge of the forms of the House, of the rulings of past Speakers and of the standing orders led to the unanimity of decision which the House had just reached, namely, that it considered Sir Charles Statham the man who fitted the office. He had established himself there by his own personality and ability. It meant a great deal to Parliament and more to the country as a whole to have in the Speaker’s chair a man who could guide the House amicably and justly, in order that the people of New Zealand might look up to their Parliament, and more particularly to those who conducted its procedure. He felt it his duty to offer Sir Charles Statham the congratulations of the people of New Zealand. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward, leader of the Opposition, added his appreciation. He thought he was right in saying the House could be absolutely unanimous on this one question, the fitness of Sir Charles Statham for the position. He was proud to be under a Speaker who ruled with such fairness, firmness and dignity. The Dominion’s Parliament had been memorable in history for the manner in which its business had been done, and one of the most important things it had to do was the election of Speaker. He, for one, would be favourable towards no contest at any election for the seat occupied by the Speaker. He had sat under every Speaker in New Zealand since 1887, and he had seen Speakers in other countries. He was proud of New Zealand Speakers and of the standard they had established. He congratulated Sir Charles Statham on his calmness in moments of disturbance, on his firmness and determination, and on his recognition of the rights of every member of the House. Sir Joseph Ward also referred to the hospitality of the Speaker and his lady, which, he said, took the edge off the ascerbities of Parliament. (Applause.) Mr 11. E. Holland (Buffer), leader of the Labour Party, joined the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition in congratulating Sir Charles Statham on his election for the third time to the Speaker’s chair. This unanimous selection, he considered, would be unique in this Parliament. It would probably be the only unanimous decision to which the House would come. (Laughter.) The House had been im measurably richer in its debating standard by reason of the manner in which Sir Charles Statham had applied the standing orders. The Labour Party and, in fact, all members of the House, joined in congratulating Sir Charles Statham. (Applause.) Mr Rushworth (Bay of Islands), Country Party member, said it would be presumptuous for him to speak as a new member, but as sole representative of the new party he offered his congratulations. (Laughter and applause.)

SIR CHARLES STATHAM REPLIES. Sir Charles Statham, replying, expressed appreciation of the remarks of the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition, the leader of the Labour Party, "and, I understand, the leader of the Country Party.” (Laughter.) After these speeches he felt bound to point out that the Speaker was, after all, only the humble instrument of the House. He would not have been able to carry out his duties faithfully without the loyal support of members, for which he thanked them. He took it this Parliament would run its full three years, and he trusted members would, in spite of the keenness that present circumstances might bring about, observe the dignity of the House as the two previous Parliaments had done. He had been pleased to hear Mr Macpherson’s reference to his assistance to the younger members of the House, and pointed out that it was one tradition of the Speakership he wished to uphold, namely, to help every member of the House, with the single exception that he could not take part in any party moves or party politics. He thanked the House for the great honour it had conferred upon him.

On the motion of the Prime Minister the House adjourned till 2.30 next day.