Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2149, 3 August 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY PORTRAITS

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEAKERS.

COMPLETE COLLECTION WANTED.

(Special to Times). WELLINGTON, last night.

/n llie Legislative Council yesterday the Hou. T. lv. Macdonald moved the following motion, of which ho had given notice: “That it is advisable that some -memorial should bo obtained, if possible, of tho various members who have hold office afl Speakers of tho Legislative Council, v' /., the Hou. Mr. \V. Swanson (18/54), the Hon. Mr. F. Whitaker (185/5), the Hon. Mr. T. H. Bartley (1850), the Hon. Sir J. L. C. Ifichardson (1868), the Hon. Sir AV. Fitzherbert, K.C.M.O. (1879), the Hon. Mr G. M. AVaterhousc (1887), the lion. Sir H. A. Atkinson, IC.C.M.G. (1891), tho lion. Sir H. J. Miller (1892), the Hon. Mr. AV. C. AValkor, C M.G. (190:i), the Hon. Sir A. J. Cadm-an, TC.C.M.G. (1904), and the Hoii Mr. C. C. Bowen (1905).” He pointed out that the Council Chamber possessed only two photographs of past Speakers, and ho thought an error of judgment had been committed in not keeping a record of the personal appearance of the men who had presided over their He pointed out that lo.’Ji bodies frequently keep photographs of their mayors and chairin'! i, and it was only proper that tills Council should have portraits of its Speakers. Me suggested that the motion should bo passed, and tho matter bo referred to tho Library or House Committee. The Hon. J. B. Callan seconded the. motion, which ho hoped would meet with favorable consideration from tho Council. Whatever else might he said of the proceedings of the Council it must be recognised that they had alwavs been conducted with due dignity and decorum —a fact which was to he attributed to fclio.r having had presiding over their deliberations gentlemen of honor, just men, and -men endowed with a knowledge of Parliamentary procedure. He hoped the motion would pass, and that at a later period the picture of the Hon. Mr. Macdonald would grace the walls of the Council

Chamber. The Hon. A. Baldey found himself unable to support the motion. If the giving effect to the resolution was to be a work off- art it would cost a con•incrable sum of money, land was not likely to receive sympathetic treatment in another place. If they had money to spend he thought it could be better applied in assisting their h.ud-wovked settlers who were trying to improve the colony by settling on die land. Tho Hon. R. A. Loitghnan was unable to agree with the previous

speaker. The adoption of tho motion ■votdo not only result in ornamenting the walls of the Chamber, but it would he the means of rescuing from oblivion the names of some of the leading colonists who had taken part in the foundation of this country and who were all at the head of the dolibtrations of that Chamber. The speaker proceeded to give a narative of the careers of the different Speakers of tho Council, and urged the Council to take the necessary steps to perpetuate their memories. The Attorney-General expressed the indebtedness of tile Council to the Hop. Mr. Louglman for the interesting biographical sketches he had given of the lives of past occupants of the Speaker’s chair, and in regard to whose public careers too much ignorance existed. It was almost pitiable that those who had occupied the position should he forgorten, but sucli seemed to be the fate of public men ..not only here but elsewhere. In young countries like New Zealand there was to be found less memory of the past ani less reverence than in older countries. He would be against the expenditure of any such sum as the Hon Mr. Baldev apprehended, but this motion did not commit them to anything. He suggested that tho motion should he agreed to and the matter referred to the House Committee to make investigation as to the cost, and he was sure that the sim, if reasonable, would be approved of. ’

The motion was carried accordingly a ad the matter referred to the House Committee.