The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 50
Appointment of Standing Committee
Appointment of Standing Committee.
Douglas
said: In the absence of Mr. Dodds, in whose name the notice stands, but who has been sent for to attend the Governor in the Executive Council Chamber on business connected with the close of the session, I beg to move:—"That, in accordance with Standing Order 213, a Standing Committee be appointed, to consist of the senior member for the time being of the colonies of Queensland, Tasmania, and Victoria; and that the hon. member for Queensland, be appointed chairman of such committee."
This Standing Committee is most important. The objects of the committee are mentioned in Standing Order No. 213. It will be their duty to prepare for the next session, and their labours will no doubt be great. They will form a sort of Executive Committee, as it were, to prepare the necessary documents for the Council at its next meeting, and I have no doubt that the result of its labours will be to add materially to the best interests of Australasia.
Mr. Lee Steere said: I have much pleasure in supporting the resolution now before the Council. Although the standing orders provide that members of the Standing Committee may communicate by telegram or by letter, still it is possible that occasions may arise when the members of the committee may deem it convenient to meet for personal discussion. The members for the colonies mentioned in the resolution would be able to meet more frequently than members appointed from the more distant colonies of Fiji or Western Australia. The proposed arrangement is therefore, it seems to me, the best that could be made. There is only one little difficulty that may perhaps arise, and that is as to the definition of the term "senior member" of the colonies mentioned. I do not see exactly how it is to be defined. It may certainly be said to be the member whose commission was signed first, but the commissions might both be signed on the same day.
Mr. Griffith: But one would be signed before the other.
Mr. Lee Steere: That is the only thing over which there might be any difficulty, but if hon. members can see a way out of it, I need only say that I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution.
The President: I also see some difficulty in the employment of the term "senior member." It is not recognised in any way in the Imperial Act.
Mr. Douglas: It is recognised in all Executive Councils.
The President: I fancy it should read that the committee should consist of one member from each of the colonies named, leaving it to the Government of each colony to appoint the member. The point is not very material, but it strikes me as being the more correct course to pursue.
Mr. Berry: I think, sir, that if the term "senior member" is understood to mean the member whose commission was signed first, or whose name appears first on a joint commission, there will be no difficulty in the matter, and practically the appointment will be in the hands of the respective Governments. In that case the names of the member best suited for the appointment would be put first. The plan suggested by you, sir, would be quite open to this objection, that we should be delegating to a power outside the Council the right to appoint members of the Standing Committee, which I do not think is right to do. By the plan proposed the first member on the commission or in the Gazette will be taken to be the name of the senior member, and I fancy that would quite meet the case.
Question put and passed.