THE SPEAKERSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 8

THE SPEAKERSHIP.

WHO WILL SUCCEED?

HON. J, A. MILLAR'S PROSPECTS The position regarding the vacant Speakership of tho House of Representatives is not so vague as.some of tho speculation that is going on might seem to indicate. Cabinet .Ministers will express no opinion on tho subjcct, though they do not seem to be in any way perturbed at tho novel suggestions which aTO coming in from various quarters. In Wellington up to the present opinion leans strongly to the belief that the Hon. J. A. Millar will be nominated by the' Government for the' office of Speaker. Weight is given, to this opinion by the fact that Mr. Millar was a great success as Chairman of Committees when lie occupied that position. Probably _ .every member in tho House would admit that tho member for Dunedin West is fully qualified to fill the office of Speaker. v If Mr. Lang had had another year or two's experience as Chairman of Committees probably no question would have been raised. He would naturally have got tho Government nomination for the position, and, indeed, if he feels inclined- to acorapt it, Mr. Lang will probably get the Government nomination now. In any case it is beginning to bo understood that there are only two candidates in the running for the office of Speaker—Mr. Millar and Mr. Lang. As these members are good friends personally and politically, and both aro personal friends of tho Prime Minister, it is not likely that there will bo a contesti after all. The suggestion that the Hon. W. Praser should lay down the. portfolios ho now carries to take up the office of Speaker is not accepted seriously in well-infoTmed political circles in Wellington.