DEATH OF THE SPEAKER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 10, 12 June 1913, Page 5

DEATH OF THE SPEAKER.

BUKBIAS. OK 741DAX. UJtmitUtf 01 OOKDOLIBGI. Fee Frags Aopooirttm Gr-o/month, Wettaeaiay. The fuaeral of Mr. Gainnew takes plaee on Friday aftenooa. To-day the expression of mourning are universal, and flags are flying at half-mast aad the shops hare their window shutters ap. Lady Guinness has received Message* of condolence from all parts of the" Dominion, ineluding telegrams from the Premier, members of the Government, and politicians of all shades. of opinio! J in -polities, hearing splendid testimoiy to the appreciation in whieh his services were held and the esteem he commanded, both as Speaker and as an able representative of the Grey electorate far over a quarter of a century.

THI VACANT CHAIR. MR. RUSSELL'S VIEWS. Christehureh, Last Night. Speakjnff to a reporter to-day, Mr. <!. W. Russell, M.P., said that the offiee f.f Speaker was naturally within the -srij't of the'premodinant party in the House. When Mr. Guinness was last elected* Speaker, it was at a time when tV Liberals held the Treasury benches. Since then a change of Government had taKen place, and Mr. Massey was now in power, with a majority of members at his back, and naturally he had tlie power of nomination, and of carryi.ig his nomination through. Mr. Russell therefore expected that Mr. Lang, who had been elosely associated with the Prime Minister for a great many yearrf, and had been made Chairman of Committees, wouid be elected. Mr. Lang hvi had only one session's experience us Chairman of Committees, and it might be somewhat in the nature of an experiment to promote him to the Speakership, as he ha4.still to give evidence, of those qualities required in a Speaker, if a difficult situation were set up. However, any Speaker eould always rely upon the House itself to support him, in maintaining order, and Mr. Russell's impression was that Mr. Lang would be elected. Mr. Russell, in reply to a question, said that he could express no opinion as to what attitude tne Opposition wduld take up in the matter.

THE POLITICAL POSITION. Wellington, Last Night, The Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister of Justice, left for Christohurch last night, en route to Greymouth, and will represent the Government at the funeral of Sir Arthur Guinness,, on Friday after* .noon. Flags 6n the publie buildings were displayed at half-mast as a mark of respect to the late Sir Arthur Guinness. On behalf of the City Council and citizens of Wellington, the Mayor (Mr. J. ',P. Luke) yesterday sent a telegram of condolence to LadyGuiness, owing to the death of Sir Arthur Guinness. The publie reception which was to hare been tendered to the Hon. Jas. Allen at the Town' Hall on Friday evening, has been postponed sine die, there being no ( rule of ex officio or automatic succev ,sion on the demise of the Speaker. ' Parliament will assemble on June 26, without any officer possessing the constitutional authority to preside over its deliberations. From the point of view of the Speakership, the position will be analogous to that at the opening of the first session of a new Parliament, when members are convoked by Commissioners, acting upon the authority of the Governor-in-Council. This procedure will be followed at the opening of the forthcoming session'.