A NOVEL INCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 6

A NOVEL INCIDENT.

CHAIRMAN RULES ON HIS OWN POSITION. There was a novel incident in tho House of Representatives shortly after one o'clock this morning, the right of the Acting-Chairman of Committees (at the time Mr. W. H. D. Bell M.P.). to occupy the chair being politely challenged by Mr. 6. W. Russell, M.P. It then became Mr. Bell's duty to rule as to the legality of bis own occupancy of tho Chair.

.Mr. Russell directed attention to the Standing Order providing that as soon as convenient after the commencement of a session the House should, on the request of the Chairman of Committees, elect a) panel of three momborß to assist that personage. Ho asked also whethor the House had elected the Chairman that evening. On being informed that Mr. Leo had been olected Chairman for the day Mr. Russell said that ho had not been award of it.■

The Prime Minister said that the rule regarding the panel of three assis-tant-"ehairmen was more honoured in the breach than in the observance. Only one attempt had been made to observe it during the long' time that he had been in Parliament, and the Standing Ordor had not been compliod with since. Mr. Fisher : That was the end of it. Mr. Russell then askod under what circumstances Mr. Bell had taken the Chair. Mr. 801 l said that the rule in long sittings' was that the Chairman should ask another member to relieve him. Mr. Lee had been elected Chairman for the day that afternoon, and it was at Mr. Leo's request that, ho had taken tho ohair. He regretted that under the circumstances ho_ must rule in his own favour and against tho hon, gentleman.