OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2540, 8 February 1923, Page 3

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

MR STATHAM ELECTED SPEAK-

Parliament was opened yesterday afternoon by commission. The chief business of the day was the election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr C. E. Statham, Dunedin Central was nominated by Mr J. McC. Dixon who said that Mr Statham had particularly good qualifications for the position. Mr Statham had beeh a member of Parliament for 11 years and during that time he had earned and obtained the respect and the esteem of his fellow members. On various occasions he had occupied temporarily the position of Chairman of Committees. He had acquired considerable knowledge of the forms of the House, and if elected, would fill the position with credit. Although a comparatively young man, he 'had had a considerable Parliamentary experience. He owed no allegiance to any party, and it would be less difficult for him than for others to hold the balance among the members of the different parties. , Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) seconded the motion. He said Mr Statham was eminently suitable, having youth, ability and Parliamentary experience and in addition, be had shown during his 11 years as a member of Parliament, that he /vas a man of independent thought and great character. A LABOUR NOMINEE.

Mr H. E. Holland nominated Mr J. McCombs and asked the House to accept the contest for the chair as a test of strength. He claimed that the Government was in a minority, and could only carry on by getting a Speaker from another side of the House. The country had voted against the Government and the Labour Party was taking the first opportunity of registering a protest against what was going on. This nomination was seconded by Mi' Savage. Mr T. M. Wilford said his party was not going to accept the dictum of the leader of the Labour Party as to what was a no-confidence motion. It was going to act on its own decision. The Liberal-Labour Party would support the nomination of Mr Statham. The reason why the Prim e Minister’s party nominated Mr Statham was that there was not a member of the ReformParty capable of filling the position, but if he had to vote.for a member of the Labour Party, unquestionably he would vote for Mr McCombs. It was the duty of members to vote for the member they thought best fitted for the position and he would vote for'Mr Stathami The Prime Minister said some of the speeches delivered that afternoon had been no credit to Parliament, He would like to ask whether it was not a fact that the Leader of the Opposition approached a member of the Reform side of the House' to take the chair? Mr Wilford: “I told Sir John Luke that if he would take it, I would vote for him to rob you of a vote.” (Laughter.) Mr Massey mentioned that Mr McCombs was said to have approached a Reform member.

Mr McCombs: “I joked with Sir John Luke. He seemed hurt because they did not select him.” (Laughter.) Mr Wilford: “It is perfectly true that I asked Sir John Luke to stand for the Speakership and I said: ‘lf you will stand, I will help you,’ but his friends wrote to me first and I have their letter.”

Mr McCombs said he also wanted to make a personal explanation. He had met Sir John'Luke in the lobby and it was not etiquette to repeat in the House what was said in the lobby, so he was not going to commit a further breach by-relating what Sir John had said to him in respect to the. Government’s overlooking him, and nominating Mr Statham. “STOOD BY HIS PARTY.”

Sir John Luke said that the first intimation he had that it would be welcome to the House were he to become Speaker, was from his old friend the Leader of the Opposition, who said that it would give him great satisfaction. (Laughter.) Sir John said that the conversation referred to had occurred in the library when several members were present a few days ago, and it was very clearly indicated to him by a member that his nomination for the Speakership would be generally approved. Mr McCombs had saijl: “You-will get my vote, and our .support.” „ A Voice: “Why did they turn you down ?” Sir John Luke: “I stood downbecause I was serving my party and my country.” After further discussion, Mr Statham was elected by 61 votes to 17. Messrs Statham and McCombs did not vote. McCombs’ 17'votes were east by the Labour 16 and Mr Poland.

LIBERAL WHIPS. o Wellington, Last Night. A meeting of the Liberal Party, after honouring Mr Forbes who was formerly Senior Whip, elected Mr James Horn (Wakatipu), as senior Whip and Mr S. G. Smith (New Plymouth)' as Junior Whip. TO-DAY’S SITTING. When the House meets to-day/ the address of the Governor-Gener-al will be delivered. The Prime Minister says there will be no important business on Friday afternoon. Reference will be made to the death of Mr W. T. Jennings and others.

Mr Massey will ask the House to sit on Monday evening and to hold day sessions from Tuesday onward. He expects there will be two want of confidence motions. No chairman of committees will be elected this session. A short statement on financial matters will be presented to the House. The galleries of the House were full yesterday and keen interest displayed.