UPPER HOUSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 4

UPPER HOUSE

HON M. FAGAN ELECTED SPEAKER. APPOINTMENT OF NEW LEADER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The Hon. M. Fagan, who has been Leader of the Ligislative Council since the Labour Government came into office, was elected unopposed as Speaker yesterday in succession to Sir Walter Carncross, who recently retired after occupying this office for a record term. It is the first occasion on which a Leader of the Upper House has been elevated to the higher office. Numerous congratulatary speeches were made,, after which Mr Fagan returned thanks for the.confidence reposed in him by his fellow members. He referred to the great example set by his predecessors, and assured the members that he would do all in his power to maintain that standard.

The Hon. D. Wilson has been appointed as Leader of the Legislative Council, in succession to Mr Fagan. Mr Fagan, who has been Minister without portfolio in the Labour Government since it assumed office in 1935, attended his last Cabinet meeting during the tea adjournment last night. During the absence of Mr Nash from New Zealand, Mr Fagan has been Act-ing-Minister of Customs, and from now till the return of Mr Nash the portfolio of Customs will be administered by the Attorney-General, Mr Mason. When Mr Wilson took his seat as Leader of the Council last night he received numerous congratulations.