Sir Frederic William Lang was a New Zealand politician, from 1909 a member of the Reform Party, he was the eighth Speaker of the House of Representatives, from 1913 to 1922.
12 Facts About Frederic Lang
1.
2.
Frederic Lang was the youngest of six children born to Oliver William Lang and Louisa Lang.
3.
In 1872 Lang emigrated to New Zealand, aged 19, and settled as a farmer in Tuhikaramea close to the Waipa River.
4.
Frederic Lang played cricket and was captain of the Ngahinepouri side, played for Alexandra and was a member of the Waikato Cricket Association.
5.
Frederic Lang played football and represented the Auckland Province in 1880.
6.
Frederic Lang was elected onto the Waipa County and became its chairman for six years.
7.
Frederic Lang was the Member of Parliament for Waipa from 1893 to 1896; then Waikato from 1896 to 1905 when he was defeated; then Manukau from 6 December 1906 until 1922, when he was defeated.
8.
Frederic Lang was Chairman of Committees from 1912 to 1913.
9.
Frederic Lang then became Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1913 to 1922.
10.
In 1913 as speaker, in response to filibusting by Apirana Ngata, Frederic Lang introduced a rule that MPs who could speak in English must not speak te reo Maori and by 1920 Parliament no longer employed translators.
11.
Frederic Lang was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1924 and served for one term until 1931.
12.
Frederic Lang died at his home in Onehunga on 5 March 1937.