A COVETED OFFICE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 900, 20 August 1910, Page 5

A COVETED OFFICE.

CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMITTEES. AWKWARD FOR THE GOVERNMENT. . After a delay of some weeks, the House'.of Representatives was informed yesterday afternoon, that the election to fill the vacant position of Chairman of Committees would take place on Tuesday next. • Referring to the matter, the Prime Minister stated that he would move that Mr. J. Colvin, M.l\ for Bullcr, be •appointed to the position. That the announcement came as a great relief to the House was quite' apparent. It was equally evident ■ that tew, if any, members outsidw the Ministers had anticipated that tho Government nominee would be Mr. Colvin. Like maiiy other members, Mr. Massoy had failed to catch the name of the member who was to receive the support of tliQ Ministry. ''What namo?" he- quo: -'. Sir Joseph Ward repeated his aiui'i/.iicement, and a general buzz of conversation- followed;

When Mr. Wilford resigned the position (it will be remembered), Mr. Davey and Sir Wm. Steward were nominated at a, Government'caucus for tho position of Government nominee, and as a result of a ballot Mr. Davey won by a single vote. But in view of tho facVthat somo of Ins supporters were absent, Sir Wm. Steward announced that he would decline to be bound by tlio result of the'ballot; and would still bo a candidate for the position. About this time Mr. Masse} , / Leader of the Opposition, intimated that ho intended to move that Mr. Fraser, a prominent member of his party, should be elected ■to the office. ..Owing to the division of opinion among the' Ministerialists, the Government found it-self in a very'awkward" position, and apparently, in the■hopt. thai something might turn up to consolidate tile vote .of the Goverair ment party, the proposed election was indefinitely postponed. In the meantime' there occurred what is known as the Christchurch police records incident, which was followed, by Mr. Davey leaving it to the Ministry as to whether lie should still remain in. the running; As the Ministry now 'declined to transfer its official support to Sir William Steward,, the position became still more awkward for the • Govern■ment,'for half a dozen other Ministerialists (it was reported) all claimed to have the greatest right, to. election. Among those members whp were mentioned in that regard were Messrs. Laurenson, Hanan, Russellj Field, Graham, Ross, and Poland. The selection of Mr. Colvin, at this stage, as Government nominee could only lead to a good deal-of soreness, manifestations of which were not wanting after the Prime Minister's announcement on the subject yesterday. In view of the circumstances the election should prove decidedly interesting. ',"'■, ' ' Mr. Colvin, who is the member for Buller, has been returned for that constiftiency at the last four general elections. For some years-he was chairman of the Goldfields and Mines Committee in the House.. Ho is at present chairman of tho House Committee. Outside Parliament Mr. Colvin has had other experience in the position of a presiding officer in his capacity as Mayor of West-port for two years and chairman of , the Westporfc Harbour Board. On no occasion,. however, has Mr. Colvin been called upon to preside, over the House whilst it has been in Committee. The ■. position of Government nominee for the office was not sought by him.'

It is understood that it is still the intention of,-Mr. Massey (Leader of tho Opposition) 'to nominate Mr. Fraser for the position. , •_• ■_ ~ , _ ■■■ In the lobbies it is anticipated that the election will be the most interesting that has been held *in the -House in recent years, and that the final result cannot .bo foretold.,