30 APRIL 1921, Page 3

The House of Commons on Wednesday elected Mr. Whitley as

Speaker. Mr. McNeill and other members demurred to the action of the Government hi nominating Mr. Whitley, and then appointing his successor as Chairman of Committees, instead of leaving the House free to make its own choice of aSpeaker. But there was no formal opposition to Mr. Whitley, who commands the respect and confidence of all parties. Like his predecessor, he has served for ten years in the difficult and arduous office of Chairman of Committees. He is beet known to the public as the promoter of the joint trade councils of employers and workmen which have done much to promote friendly feeling.