POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1926, Page 4

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

t THE SPEAKERSHIP. WELLINGTON, May 21. 0 The Prime 'Minister preserves mos dest or indifferent reticence over the '• new Ministerial -apppi utmente, and s the subject of local political gossip has c shifted to the Speakership of the ‘ House. The probabilities are that the ’’ former Speaker, Air Statham, will *■ again secure the Government noniinn- * tion, though it is no secret that mem- ‘ hers of the Reform Party are divided over the matter. It is one usually settled in party caucus a day before the House has to elect its official head: The Wellington “Post” “regards the decision as an open one, for it remarks: “Apart from 'the question of Cabinet appointments, attention is being focussed on the Speakership of the House of Representatives. When Parliament meets the election of a new Speaker will be the first duty members of the lower House will have to perform. In addition to that of .Mr Statham, the Speaker in the last Parliament, the name of the Hon E. P. Lee, formerly a Atm is ter in the Massey administration, is mentioned in connection with the Speakership. Other members of the Reform Party are also spoken of as possible nominees but in Afr Lee’s favour it is pointed out that, like Afr. Statham, he is a lawyer and well acquainted with the forms of the House. It will also he neeesary for the House to find a new ) Chairman of Committees, which posi- 1 tion- in the last Parliament was Held < by Air J. A. Young, now a Alinister of the Crown. Ain F. F. Hockley i (Rotorua), Sir George Hunter (Wni- -• fawa) and Sir John Luke have a' v times each acted as Chairman of Coni- i mittees when Mr Young lias been ab- v sent or when during long sittings it lias been necessary to give him some { relief.” ■ - n

It may • be taken for granted tliafc Afr Hockley will he the successful aspirant for the Chairmanship, and so fur as the higher honour is concerned there has been no sign ■ from the most prominent members of the Re-

form Party that they will seek a fresh Speaker. i It is the Prime Minister’s intention to leave Wellington on Sunday night for the Auckland district. He will spend nearly a: week in South Auckland and the geldfields area, when

he will be accompanied by the Hon A. D. APLeod, Alinister of Lands., Then Mr Coates will take a pre-session-nl holiday in his own electorate, which ho probably will’not have time again to visit before he has to leave New Zealand for London'.