SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1923, Page 4

SPEAKERSHIP CONTEST.

JL.A BOl’K'S UNEXPECTED MOVE. Ml! STATU AM DEFEATS Mil M’COMH.S. (Lvttoltmi Times -Correspondent.) AVKLLIXCJTOX, February 7. The now House lost no time in showing what strong, clear lines of demarcation exist among its members. Tim election of Mr Statham, member for Dunedin Central, as Speaker was unexpectedly contested by tin* official T -ulion r Thirty which nominated Mr M ’Combs. Lyttelton and endeavoured to make the division the first no-con-fidence motion of the session. Tn this they wore disappointed. The division, following a debate which broke all precedents under such circumstances showed that the Government and Lib-eral-Dahottr parties were unanimous, with only one exception. Mr Poland (Ohineiimrih who supported official Labour on this occasion. 'Hie vote. T am informed, has no general significance. Xever before in the history of the Yew Zealand Parliament lias there been a full eighty in attendance on the opening day. The swearing-in o! members and the visit to the Legislative Council occupied the time till -bln. when the Clerk of the House, who temporarily exorcised limited control over deliberations, pointed to Mr J. M'O. Dickson, Chalmers as an indication that he was called on to speak. Mr Dickson said he desired to nominate Mr Stntham as Speaker of the House. Mr Stathani’s qualifications Were, he said, so well known, more eo-ecinllv to the ohler members of the House, that lie need not dwell on them. Mr Stntham during his eleven years in Parliament had earned the respect and esteem of members. As he had had experience as Deputy-Chairman of Committees, he had knowledge of procedure which titled him for ihe duties of Sneaker. “Another good <| i: :i I i lion.” added Mr Dickson, “is that Mr Statham comes tn this House quit :■ independent of party, and it "ill he less difficult I'm him to hold the balance

c(|U.iih Let ween the parlies.” lie look ii rii.it no member could accuse Air Slat bate of having any parly bins. \ net her C|iia!ificatinn whmli was ro- ,| in the Alolher of Tallinuieiiis . ,nt ini was that 1m was a banister. Sir George Hunter, in .seconding the met ion stilted that the Parliament of Nee Zealand lmd keen singularly fortunate in securing as its Spenken gentlemen of high calibre, and he believed that Mr Statham was eminently i|unlified for the lioneurahle jio-i ti<’M. possessing youth, ahilitv and ox penenee. and having shown in hi- eobti a’ career independence of thought . the i aroer THiTv-s si■ nvinsi:. Mr 111 ■! !-■ I.'l. I .ad,: el the 1.-lbeur r.iMv then spiang a -mpi the I, 1,., nominating Mr M'Cmiil,-. member for l.yl lelton for the Speak'r- . Mr ilollam.l suggested Hint men tin- bill we.-t opponent ■■>! Mr M t iimbwould admit that he pn-scssed knowledge el procedure second to linhody in Ihiriianiont. lie believed he had necosary riiuililicatioiis for the office “Me I'm c a situation.” he continued..

“when- II defeated Government meets I Parliament «ml can only enrrv on by i getting i! Speaker from tin- ranks ol its j < npouents. tliiTi iV'io tin- Labour I’l'l' l - non.i 11:1 1 ion «f Air MTombs is a mulinn „f no confidence in tin- (:• »vovi.nulliolid mi) ask members to vote with nfor flip purpese of conveying to tie--do of the Dominion tl’.o message that this I loose will not tolerate abrogation of the verdict of the !>eo;-h- h.v a defeated minority.” He declared that it was incorrect to say that Mr Statlmin was not n pai-ty man. 'I he lh irne Minister had indicated that he "as not lint diil not Mr ALis-ev reim-mhei a lemons meeting in Wellington when Air Stathani and others launched a I'nen-v mvc and I/ihour Parly ? It was launched and i nglnrioitsly died. I hen at ivtone Air Stathani announced the nnialgamutiim of the Progressive Party with the Liberals. ■•Parties.” said Mr Holland, “v.ere horn and were dying in dcliaine of biological principles.” lie went, on to suggest that the Government had no right to appoint a Speakei when it. was in a minority and could mdy scrape together a majority with the support of men who had hc-en elected in the face of strong opposition from the Reform Parly. Mr Stathani was in tin's position and was to he used to keep in office a minority Government ■ Tim header of file Labour Party suggested Unit tin- Opposition being in a majority, should combine to defeat the Government, then put. through a proportional representation measure. (Laughter.) “T can understand the langhter.'' continued Mr Holland bitterly. Tt would mean disaster for those people who attempt to defeat the will of the people by methods of political conspiracy and intrigue. Supposing. he continued, the Government won this motion. Voices; So it will. .Mr Holland: What a relleetion on the luajoiity who were elected to oppose the Government. Supposing; they did .sieu.'c ii majority their whips would have no sleep. It would never feel safe and it would he subject to the dictatorship of three or lour men wlm had rated from their pledges to their constituents. Was that a. desirable position!" Hut there it existed and the Labour Party proposed to see it through by providing the House with a speaker in accordance with the wishes of the country. A member: A party of seventeen! Mr Holland : A'ess. seventeen, ami the honourable gentleman’s trouble is that lie lias either to come into the lobby with us or get out of the c-linm-

Mr Savage, in seconding the nomination of Mr M'Combs. reminded the j House that on every no-confidence i motion hist session Air Stathani voted j against the Government. LIBER A L-I.A.HOru ATTITCDF. NO TMCTATORSHIP FROM AIR 1 HOLLAND. Mr AVilford, ns lender of tlie Liberal T.nhour Party, announced its support of Afr Stathani. Tt was. lie said laid down in Afny’s “Parliamentary Practice” that unless the election of a member as Speaker was challenged

there should be no debate but if the ’ 1 election was challenged then the re- j speetive characteristics of the candidates were proper subjects for discussion. “This party.” he continued is net going to accept the dictum of the f.aliour Party as to whether or not it is a no-confidence motion. (Government | “|fear, hears”). This party is going | upon its own judgment and decision as to whether or not in casting a vote ‘aye* or ‘nay’ it is doing it by way of tm confidence or otherwise in the Government. So far as our party is concerned wo support the nomination of Mr statham against the nomination of Air APCombs.” Mr Parry: AVe knew you would. ' Afr AYilford : Then the lion, gentlemen are not disappointed. The reason why the Reform Party had to go outside their ranks for a Speaker was. he suggested, because they bad no man within their party fitted for the position. (Laughter)!. This was understood, because the Prime 'Minister, if there was a suitable supporter for the position, would surely reward a member of his party with so high and honourable a position. He agreed with what had been stated regarding tile value of the legal mind in interpreting what had been laid down as precedents for the guidance of Hie House. While Air AEComhs unquestionably knew a great, deal a* n - layman about the Standing Orders, lie did not think he was as fitted for the position as one possessing the training of the member for Dunedin Central, therefore he intended to give his vote for Air .Stntham. no matter who went into tile lobby with lnrn. A OA ECUS DECTSTOX. “We considered the question of putting up a man.” continued Afr AYilford “and we were not blind to the fact that the nomination of Air Statham is a tactical move that must be made bv a Government of thirty-eight supporters against forty-two opposition. Wo considered tile position and saw there was a great possibility of carrying our man supposing the candidate uo proposed was a hotter titan than I lie (lovoriimeiiCs candidate, hut we looked tit it from a tactical point of view also, and wo said : ‘AA’e will not get ninnv votes from Mr Statham and wo would lose ruic of our own - ibuiglit'Tb We understand the move and wo are not helping the Prime Alinisler by voting for Mi Statham. lint we are doing so because we believe hr- is belter titled for tbc Sp akersbip than Air M'Cntnhs." All! AI.ASSET’S < IHTK'ISM. •‘ENSEEMbA AVI! A YGLK." CONDEMNED.

The I’: into .Mini: ti l came into trilobate i'll a protest tlmi it seutuod to be developing into an unseemly iiiglc lie Mould like to say that the t-nliis displayed by -nine speakers were no i red it to the New Zealand Ihiriinlil, in. lie wished to collect the leader ol the Opposition in hi., suggestion that there was no man on the Government side lilted for the Speakership. Mr AA iltin'll : Then why don’t yon propose him ’ Mr Mascsy: There are twenty-five men all fitted for the Speakership. (Labour laughter). “I have beard that iaugli before." continued Afr Alasscy. “and I can tell them there are fifty men who will prevent any parte getting into power with the support of Revolutionary Socialists. I regard their speeches this afterm on under tbc circumstances of there being no Speaker in the chair, as a gross breach of the privileges ol I’ailiai no nt."

HA IDS ON REFORMERS. Mr Massey went on to introduce u new and highly interesting factor into Hie debate. He asked : “Will Mr Wilford tell the House whether if is not a fact that the party to which he belongs approached a member on this sid- of the House to see if he would stand for the Speakership?” Mr Wilford: 1 did tell Sir .Tulin Luke that 1 would vote for him if he would stand, so as to rob yon of a vote, i Lniiglili-O. Labour member: Now wu are getting at it.

Mr Massey: And be would have worthily filled the position. Is. it not a fact that: Labour members almost went down on their knees to a member on this side to induce him to become a candidate? Mr Holland: Absolutely not a fact. Mr ALissey: I have been informed bv two members on this side that ATr Al'Comhs approached a member anil

asked him to stand. Mr APCoaibs: I wish to deny that absolutely. I joked isith Sir John Lillee because it is well known he is very much hurt at the Government, overlooking him. (Laughter). Afr Afassey: “And both members have fallen in.” He declared that in twenty-eight years’ experience he had never heard so unworthy a discussion on the election of Speaker. Mr AVilforil joined the ranks of innocent explainers. Tt was. he said smilingly, perfectly true that he had asked Sir John Luke to stand and assured him lie would give him his help. Two of Sir John Luke’s friends had first written to him asking for support and in- had the letters. Members: Oh! Oh!

The next to explain was Mr MOomlis. who said he met Sir John Luke in the lobby. It was, lie said, not considered good form to repeat lobby talk on the floor of the House, and he regarded this as a gross breach of dignity by tlie Premier’s party. “Those are his tatties.” said Afr Al'Comhs. “I am not going to commit a further breach by repeating what. Si:' John Luke said about the Government proposing to overlook him.” (Laughter.) Sir John Luke completed the explanation. Hi- regretted that there should have been stu-li a discussion, but as his name had been mentioned lie wished to say that tile first intimation lie received that his name would be welcome to the House if lie consented to stand was from his old friend the lender of the Opposition. ATr AVilford had intimated to him on two or three occasions that if lie (Sir John Luke)* stood for the Speakership it would give great satisfaction. (Loud laughter from Government supporters). ATr Al’Comhs was in error in saying that his conversation on the subject took

place in the lobby, because it was in - the library. There was a group of Labourites -and Liberals, and it was clearly intimated to him that if ho stood he would get their support. It was no joke. “The Prime Alinister” concluded Sir John Luke, “knows per- j fectly well that if T stood for this pos- | ! tion [ would have a very good chance ! I of putting the Government, the Opposition ancl the Labour Party in a very embarrassing position. Afy position is that I have declared time after time, that I am it supporter of the Massey Government. AVhen I had success looming itt the Speakership I , subordinated the desire for promotion | 1 have filled the position of Afnyor for eight years and other public positions and felt justified in submitting myself.” ATr AA r ilford : AA’hy did they turn you down ? Ai r Afassev : Because they would not allow you to make use of him. Sir John ‘T.uke: T stood down lieeause I was serving ray party best and mv country better. Air Fraser. AA'ellington Central, suggested that ciiticism of the Labour Party over its nomination was quite expected. They did not try to please the Liberals, and were not surprised at that, [tarty permitting a Speaker to be elected from the Opposition ranks. Air Statham brought the debate back to its original tone by thanking those who bad proposed and seconded him for a high honour. Under the peculiar c ire ii m stances of the case it would illl become him to enter into nti> conti oversv with any member, bur he would simple say he appreciated the explanation of Mi Holland that it was not a personal mallei in contesting his nomination. and lie admitted that in so doing Mr Holland was within his rights. Some of Air Holland s statements regarding his attitude towards the Edo. in and Liberal Parties were quite correct. “AATicn f look back over my political history, lie said, I remember that ni.v experience lias been varied. (Laughter.) I have bad to criticise parties, and individuals. I am \ bound to refer to mv position as a member of this House, and 1 ask members to accept my word. T was elected I absolutely independent, not as a supporter of any party, and f refused to say bow 1 would vote motion ol iin-eontidonco. ! did mu consent to nomination without thinking the matter over well and knowing right front the bottom ~f my heart, and in my own i on-riem c I was absolutely I tec in accept. uointraittan. II elected ii will be i, tv constant duty to deal out fair play and justice to all members.” Alt- \l’( 'ombs expressed bis ackninvIcdgmeiiis to bis proposer and secnmlei ami declared if be was elected h ■ V,,uld oni vv out till’ duties with b ar

|o-.. e 1... and impartiality, lie also paid a tribute to Mr Statbam's ability. Mr At more announced that lie wain Parliament as a l.ihernl-l .alien, Independent. imt bound to any parti. ||e dip not suppose ally Liberal-Labour member would take seriously the but air” talked by the member for AAclUngton Central. Labour members bad talked about another appeal to the electors, but he had been returned at a time when stern measures ol ccoimmi were needed and be mus not going to admit that an appeal to tile electors at a cost of TfiU.Odl) was necessary just because the House was so obsessed uilu party that it could not settle the matter for itsi'li. The Alasscy party was discredited in Hie country. As for the suggestion that proportional repiosenlnI ion should be carried as a preliminary to an appeal to the country be ".is not quite sure this system would give any party a complete majority, because there were su many issues, before tile

people that they might get the group system. Air Alasse.v: We ate not discussing proportion!!l representation. A member : Keep it lor nexi elecI ion. Mr Atiunre: The honourable gentleman started in a white heat, which is ipiite tin necessary on so simple a matter as electing a Speaker. The 1 louse then divided on the motion that Mr Stathani lie elected Speaker. This was carried by (il votes, comprising tlie whole ot the Reform and Liberal-Labour parties excepting

Mr Poland, who voted with official Labour. thus bringing the hitter’s total to 17. Neither candidate took part in the division. ATr Stathani, speaking from the steps of the Speaker’s chair, declared that he would administer Hu- standing

orders and rules of the House with fairness and impartiality. The power of a Speaker, he reminded members, was given him by the House, and be looked to the House to support him in the honourable position in which it had plared him. AA'hile honour had been done to him personally the House had also honoured his constituency and his native city of Dunedin (applause in which till parties joined).

Air AA’ilforil. in the course of liis congratulatory speech. raised hearty laughter by remarking that the only thing lie did not envy Afr Speaker was that when the votes were even lie would be called upon to give bis casting vote., Air Holland extended congratulations on behalf of “the only real Opposition tile Labour Thirty,” and when Afr Statlinm. having taken the chair, formally replied to the congratulatory speeches of the Prime Alinister. the leader of the Opposition and tbc member for Roller lie was quickly reminded in sharp tones by Afr Holland that lie should be referred to as the leader of the Labour Party.