West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 1 August 1947, page 16


ELECTION OF SPEAKER Mr. C. F. J. North Takes Office Amid applause, the Liberal memher for Claremont (Mr. C. F. .! North) took office as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly shortly after the State Parliament met at noon yesterday. Mr. North was nominated by the Premier (Mr. McLarty) and the nomination was seconded by the Deputy Premier (Mr. Watts) Between Mr. McLarty and Mr. Watts he walked from the floor of the House to the Speaker's chair and formally thanked members for having elected him to the office. "It is a great honour," he said, "to be elected Speaker of the Legis-; lative Assembly in Western Australia, for the State Parliament has the reputation of being the best-run Parliament in Australia." On behalf of the Government, Mr. McLarty congratulated Mr. North on his appointment to the high office and wished him long and happy service in his new authority. The Deputy-Leader of the Opposithon (Mr. Hawke) congratulated the Speaker on behalf of Labour members and said that he hoped Mr. North's sojourn in office would be happy. When the House re-assembled at 3 p.m., prior to the official opening of the session, Mr. North was wearing the traditional wig and gown of his office, neither of which was used by his predecessor, Mr. J. B. Sleeman. Many Years Service. Charles Frederick John North was born at Perth in 1887. He was edncated at Perth .High School (now Hale School) and at Rugby and Oriel College, Oxford, where he graduated in law and became a Bachelor of Arts with honours. While at Oxford he was a member of the college eight for three years. He was called to the Bar of the Middle Temple in 1912. During World War I he perved in France as an observer-air gunner with the rank of captain in No. 16 Squadron. Royal Air Force. Returning to Western Australia after World War I he practised as a solicitor in -Perth and was elected to the Legislative Assembly as mermber for Claremont in 1923. He has represented that constituency ever since. In the National Party Govermment prior to 1933 he served as Government Whip. For three years he was a member of the .Cottesloe Municipal Council and served a term as mayor of the municipality. Other offices he has held are president of the 'Claremont sub-branch of the RS.L. and patron of the Claremont Football Club and SwanbourneNedlands and North Cottesloe Surf Life-saving Clbs.