THE SPEAKERSHIP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 12 June 1913, Page 6

THE SPEAKERSHIP.

OPINION OF MR G. W. RUSSELL

(By Tdegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Speaking to reporter to-day, Mr G. W. Russell, M:P., said that the office of Speaker was naturally within the gift of the predominant party in the House. When the late Sir Arthur Guinness was last elected Speaker, it was at the time the Liberal administration held the Treasury benches. Since then a change of Government had taken plaee, and Mr Massey was now in power T.ifch a 'Majority of members at his back, and naturally he had power of nominating and of carrying his nomination through. Mr Russell therefore expected that Mr Lang, who had been closely associated with the Prime Minister for a great many years, and had been made Chairman of Committees, would be elected. Mr Lang had had only one session's experience as Chairman of Committees, and it might bo somewhat in the nature of an experiment to promote him to the Speakership, as ho had still to give evidence of those qualities required in a Speaker. If a difficult situation were met, however, any Speaker could always rely •upon the House itself to support him in maintaining order, and Mr Russell's opinion was that Mr Lang would be elected. Mr Russell, in reply to a question, said bo could express no opinion as to what attitude the Opposition would take up in the matter.