A NOTABLE SPEAKER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10716, 29 October 1912, Page 4

A NOTABLE SPEAKER.

The death of Lord Peel recalls many memories to students politics. To begin with, he was the son of an illustrious father and, born as far back as 1829, was a link with the political giants of the early part of the Victorian era. As Speaker of the House of Commons he was called on to rule that assembly in a very trying period. >Mr Speaker Brand,, it is true, had broken the back of the Nationalist tactics by closing a. : debate though he had no power to do so hy Standing Order, but it fell to Mr Peel to apply the authorised closuro for the first time. His dignity and power of control were admirably displayed after the disgraceful scene in the Home Rule debate of 1893 ? when blows were struck. The Chairman of Committees, finding himself powerless sent for the Speaker. Mr Peel was in a very difficult position, for ho had not seen what occurred, but in the words of Mr Herbert Paul, "his dignity and presence, his perfect command, of language and- of temper," succeeded in calming the storm. Tn referring to his retirement, Mr Paul i says he occupied the chair for eleven years Y "with conspicuous dignity „and soj^n^k,^ and,that in the lolifeh'st of been no greater name, unless'it is Sir Thomas I More'g. •.. ■. ■••'., ..■ ■■ '- ■ ■:"■'■' '■