THE SPEAKERSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1364, 15 February 1912, Page 4

THE SPEAKERSHIP.

It- is really very amusing to note the ingenuity displayed in certain quarters just now in the way of manufacturing possibilities in connection with the political situation. A rumour current yesterday was to the effect that Sir Joseph Waud had some surprise to spring on the Reform party in the matter of the Spealcership. It is perhaps significant of the plight of the Ministerialists that it should be thought necessary to spread these stories. They seem to regard the Prime Minister as a sort of bogey man and apparently imagine that the circulation of vague suggestions of the tremendous things he intends to do will so demoralise his opponents as to enable him to perform the miracle of converting a minority into a majority. So far as the question of the Spcakcrship is concerned there is little if any doubt as to what the House should and will do in the matter. Sir Arthur Guinness may not have been the ideal Speaker. He is too good-natured to be that— too tolerant of little loosenesses which rob Parliament of some of its dignity and on occasions lead to, a certain amount of interruption and disorder. But he has proved himself impartial, and when occasion called for it has asserted his authority with proper emphasis. Moreover, no man in the present Parliament available for the position possesses in a higher degree than Sir Arthur Guinness the requisite qualities for the office. In these circumstances it is natural that all parties in Parliament should look to him as the member most suited to the position and his re-election is assured. It is the irony of Fate that this bestowal of a favour on a supporter of the Government should rob the party of a much-needed vote. For years the Government has grasped for itself and its immediate friends and supporters all the good things available, regardless of the merits of the matter. Now it is reaping the harvest.