SPEAKER SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT ELECTION.

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

SPEAKER SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT ELECTION.

SIR J. WARD SUGGESTS BRITISH METHOD AS RULE FOR NEW ZEALAND. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 4. To-day’s opening of Parliament by Commission lacked the dignified ceremonial to be seen when the GovernorGeneral meets both Houses on Wednesday, but it was over in an hour, during which time all the elected members save two had taken the oath of allegiance and had shown complete agreement over the reappointment of Sir Charles Statham as Speaker. The dramatic effects on the background, to be developed in due course, occasionally outcropped. There seem ed to be special insistence, in submitting the name of Sir Charles Statham as Speaker, on the great value of having an absolutely impartial and firm occupant of the chair. The newest political development, the initial appearance of the Country Party, was humorously mentioned by its sole representative, Mr Rushbrook (Bay of Islands), who ventured to follow the customary speeches of congratulation to Sir Charles Statham from the acknowledged party leaders with a brief suggestion that it would not be regarded as presumptuous to lift his voice as the sole representative of a party in adding his congratulations. This was greeted with both laughter and applause. To indicate the complete unanimity on the subject, Sir Charles Statham’s election was propored by Sir George Hunter from the Government benches, seconded by Mr Macpherson from the United ranks, and supported by Mr Fraser from the Labour cross-benches. When the appointment was completed and congratulations were in order, Sir Joseph Ward mischievously expressed his satisfaction that on one question at least the House was absolutely unanimous. A BRITISH PRECEDENT. Sir Joseph Ward, in the course of his congratulations to the Speaker, declared that if he had his way, the holder of that high and honourable office should not be asked to contest an election in his constituency. The. Prime Minister: Hear, hear. Follow the British precedent. Sir Joseph Ward: I took that course on the present occasion, because I wanted the Speaker to be back in the House irrespective of his political opinions. Sir Charles Statham, having been escorted to the chair, stood on the steps while he made his acknowledgments to the House. He reminded members that their Speaker was the humble servant of the House, and that any powers he possessed were vested in him by his brother members. “ And,” he continued, “may I claim a full measure of their support during the coming three years, because I take it this Parliament will run its full course?” It was a prediction that most members will endorse, troubled though the political atmosphere may appear to be at the moment. AFFIRMATION INSTEAD OF OATH. , The smooth course of formality was aisturbcd by the member for Lyttelton, who desired to make an affirmation instead of the oath. There were two others desiring to take the same course, and the Clerk of the House requested them to wait until all the other members had been sworn in. Mr M'Combs, however, asserted his right to be called in his proper sequence, and there was a battle of wills between official and member, the latter winning, for he declined to tail in at the end of the procession, and did not take either oath or affirmation. He will thus have the stage to himself to morrow, when he will make his aflrrmacion to Mr Soeaker. The only absentee from the opening proceedings was Mr Jordan (Manukau), who is in England.