THE SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 195, 17 August 1881, Page 4

THE SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

("Ignctus" in the N.Z. Times.) I Sir Charlts Clificrd, the first Speaker who filled the chair, was a good Speaker, but bis eucceeßor was an excellent one. With what a feeling of kinrilineeß and respect do we recall the form and features of Sir David Monro ! A gentleman of the " old school,'' whose ■well-learnt deportment dignified his motions, while the clear, calm, deliberate tones oi his voice could make his rulings heard above the storm of debate ; repJete with knowledge of the forms of the House, and possessing a keen appreciation of the importance of his office, he kept order among the members over whom he ruled with a pompous, dignified firmness that made his position and bia decisions respected in the House. Of Sir Francis Bell, who next filled the chair, little need be said. He has passed irom the sphere of party strife to fill an office to which his merits and

hia services will entitle him. With a quick memory, stored with the early history of the country, possessed of information on colonial affairs which make him tniesed already, he waa a keen debater and a ready and ornamental speaker. But his versatility marred his firmness of rule, and under him the Speakership fell somewhat into disrepute. it remaioci for Sir William Filzheihert, however, to permit the ilibreeding of certain of the members to be freely imparted to the dabate, and tbe whole tone of the House to be lowered by the licence allowed to the speakers. With eyes closed, and without motion, he would sit, apparently heedless of the course of events, like a figure freshly transplanted from Madame Tussouo'a Exhibition. Thß poor child cannot be blamed who, token to the House for the first time, gezed on the motionless form in the chair, and tremblingly asked her mother, "Is it alive ?" He was not alive to the duties of his position. ]f his rulisg was asked, he gave it at great length, with reasons tiriog the patience of the House, and so mildly that it had no tffaofc in cheeking the rancor of the debate. Perhaps his promotion satisfied more, people than chenges of euch a nature uenerally do. The Legislative Councillors were hurt, and justly bo ; but, in these democratic daya, these gentle* men seem only to have feelings so that they may be ujared. But Sir William was pleased, for he achieved an almost sinecure cflhe, carrying with it a good salary for life, '.and both parties ia the Home he left were pleased ; for that party out of office felt that any change would be for the better, while that in r fllce had the satisfaction of giving to a deserving member of their own party a position of dignity and profit. A graduate of the Dablin University and a hamster, Mr O'Rorke never devoted himself with any studiouaness to the practice of his profegaipc. Dilettante newspaper writing and provincial politics filled op his time in the recess, but be never was a man of energy. With capabilities of no mean order, an icherent laziness prevented him from giving tbern free scope. In the House he was a silent member, baviog a penchant for education from a Eoman Catholic standpoint, if anything. He never achieved distinction until Sir Julius Yogel took him into bis Administration in 1873. He remained in office but a short time, breaking off suddenly from his party when the resolutions for the abolition of the provinces were first proposed. Everyone will remember bis '* bidden dagger" speech, when, without any warning to bis colleagues, he dramatically left the Government benches and stalked across the House. Having never said or .ioae anything brilliant or startling while in c.ffice, it may he said that Nothing in hi< official caiesr Became him like the leaving it. "When first elected to the Speakership, there were feelings of uneasiness as to hia ability to perform the functions of the position ; but these doubta were quickly dispelled, and from all eideß of the House came a unanimous admission of his success. Eigidly impartial, correct in hh precedents, concise in his rulings, and firm in bis demeanour, he has once more made the House recognise the Speaker as its master. Like a sensible man, he gives no reasons for his decisions ; he doea not dally with questions, but with perfect dignity lays down a Btrong ruling, holds to it, and is generally right. Mr Sheehan once endeavored to question his decision, wantiDg to know on what authority it was given. "By my authority as Speaker, sir !" thundered Sir George, and even the eelt-aufneiency of the junior member for the Thames quailed before so unmistakeable a determination not to have hia rulings questioned. It must be recollected that, though put into the position he occupies by Sir George Grey's Government, and still an adherent of the party, Sir George O'Korke has never for a moment failed in hie fidelity to the trust reposed in him. He no more fears to rebuke the hasty expressions or unruly conduct of Sir George Grey himself, than he does to quell the turbulence and unmannerly utterances of Mr Brown, Mr Beeves, or the other roisterers of the party. He is altogether an admirable Speaker, and his place could not be easily filled. But; it may be accepted that so long as be remains in the House he will continue to he Speaker, and that therefore he will not again take a leading part in party warfare.