THE VACANT SPEAKERSHIP.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11491, 26 January 1903, Page 8

THE VACANT SPEAKERSHIP.

MR McNAB TO BE APPOINTED.

(special to "the press ':• DUNEDIN, January 24. The "Star" says several matters of importance are under Ministerial consideration, and adds: "It is not, unlikely that tbe Cabinet wiJl choose their nominee for tbe Speakership of the House in the course of the next fortnight. Seeing that to all practical intents the selection of Mr McXab has been a foregone conclusion for some time past, the promotion of tJie member for Mataura to the Speaker's chair, tilled for so many years with unique efficiency by Sir -Maurice O'Rorke, will probably "give pretty general satisfaction, and the' results of the prospective appointment may bo anticipated with reasonable optimism. Northerners are grumbling, and it is pretty well known that Mir Seddon. in reoonstVuctmg the Cabinet, intends to pay heed to their complaints. Thus Mr McNab's prospect of attaining Cabinet rank would not be very brigrlit, and the vacant Speakership will conveniently satisfy his reasonable ambition and reward his services to the Liberal party. He is not, unHcely to have a walk over for the seat for he 's a favourite with the Opposition. There was some talk of nominating Sir Wm. Russell, whose high qualifications and claims are. sufficiently patent and we believe that the Government might have rieen to the generous height of the occasion if Sir WiSiam had not intimated his unwillingness to be" nominated. j