THE NEW SPEAKER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 30, 19 August 1871, Page 2

THE NEW SPEAKER.

[lndependent, August 15.] Of all the Parliaments in her Majesty's Dependencies that of New Zealand stands confessedly pre-eminent for high moral tone, order, and decorum. It would be very interesting to enquire into the many causes at work accounting for this superiority. It is not our intention, however, at present to do so ; but we think we may safely say that it is in some measure due to the high character and ability of the gentlemen they have chosen as Speakers. It would be invidious to institue any critical comparison between them ; it is sufficient to say that when Sir C. Clifford vacated the chair it was thought impossible to elect one with equal qualifications, and when. his successor Sir David Monro in turn resigned, it was cons : - dered equally difficult to name a successor. On the retirement of the Speaker last year, we took occasion to advert to the dignity and ability with which he had discharged the duties of his high office, and the new members had an opportunity yesterday, in hearing him propose his successor, of judging how well-merited were our encomiums. Coming after two such Speakers, Mr Bell will be tried by a high standard; but we have no fear that he will disappoint the expectations that have been formed of him. Sir David Monro's remarks leave nothing unsaid, and we feel assured that he uttered them with a full appreciation, both of the difficulties of the office, and of the responsibility of proposing Mr Bell to fill it.

We beg to offer the Speaker-Elect our respectful congratulations, and to express the hope that under his presidency the House will maintain that high character for order and decorum for which it has hitherto been distinguished. Mr Bell's long political experience, his acquaintance with parliamentary forms and usages, his courteous bearing, and his graceful and dignified manner pointing him out as a worthy successor to Sir David Monro, forbid us to entertain any apprehension. There is a special fitness, as the Premier remarked, in his being called to preside over a Parliament which has resumed that work of colonisation which charmed his youthful ardor at home, which cost him many sacrifices and privations in the early days of the colony, which taxed the best energies of his riper years, and which as a M inister and Special Commissioner he has lately assisted so largely in helping forward.