Hon. members will now proceed to the election of a Speaker. I am prepared to receive nominations.

I move that Mr. J. T. Molteno do take the chair of this House as Speaker,

I have much pleasure in seconding the nomination, and I do so with the greater assurance, knowing his conduct of the chair in the last Cape Assembly. I am certain members of the last Cape Parliament, on both sides of the House, know the impartial way in which Mr. Molteno carried out his duties. It is needless for me to say anything more.

Any other nominations Does any other hon. member wish to address the House on the question before it?

in supporting the motion, said that it was not usual to make a speech on such an occasion, but he wanted to say that, he hoped, that Mr. Molteno would unanimously be chosen as the Speaker of the House. Why he did so was because he thought that there was not a man in the House who was better known. For twelve years he had represented in the House the constituency which he (the hon. member) now had the honour of representing, and for seven years they had been colleagues in the House. He (the hon. member) knew how good a representative Mr. Molteno had been, and how good a Speaker.

Does the hon. member submit himself to the House?

I submit myself with all humility to the House.

Will the proposer and seconder kindly conduct the hon. member to the chair?

having been conducted to the chair, said: “Mr. Hofmeyr, before I take the chair of this House as the Speaker of the Assembly of the Union of South Africa, I desire to convey to the House the deep sense—my deep sense—of the honour that has been conferred upon me, and I desire to thank every member, and every section in this House. Mr. Hofmeyr, I have before me the examples of a line of illustrious Speakers who have occupied the chair in the old Cape Colony, in the Transvaal, in the Free State, and in Natal, and it will be my constant, endeavour to emulate their example—to try to follow their example—although I cannot hope to rival or to emulate the position that they took up, and the line of conduct that they laid down. This I am sure of— that I can rely upon the co-operation and support of every section and every party and every member of this House in carrying out the high trust that has been conferred upon me. I know, further, that I can also rely upon the hearty and loyal cooperation of the officers of this House.” Mr. Molteno added that before he took the chair he would like to say a few words in the Dutch language. (Hear, hear.) He wished sincerely to thank hon. members for his election. He thanked the whole House, and it would always be his endeavour to act impartially.

I beg to move, as an unopposed motion, that the House on its rising do adjourn until Friday, at noon.

Any objection? Agreed to.

Before that is done, is it not necessary that you, sir, should submit yourself to Government House, so as to maintain the rights and privileges of this House?

intimated that a time would be fixed later by the Governor-General for Mr. Speakers presentation to His Excellency for His Majesty’s Royal Approbation, and that such presentation would be reported to the House at its next sitting.