THE UNITED LEADER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 10

THE UNITED LEADER

SIR JOSEPH WARD ARRIVES , EXPECTS MR. COATES TO RESIGN -Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the United Party, returned from the South to-day, was welcomed on arrival by a number of friends and political supporters, and left shortly afterwards for his residenco at Heretaungn. In a statement to "The Post," Sir Joseph Ward said: "I expect to hear, as soon as the final results of the elections are made known on Wednesday evening or Thursday next, that the Reform Government has tendered its resignation to His Excellency the Governor-General. That is, of course, a matter under the control of the Prime Minister, but with my knowledge of what is usual in a political crisis such as this, • the position seems to me to be clear. It is obvious that the Government is in a minority in respect to the elected members, and that they cannot expect His Excellency to accept their advice under the circumstances. Personally, lamin no way attempting to interfere, since it is not for mo to do so; but I am speaking on the basis of what the people know from end to end of the country, namely, that the Government is in a minority as a result of the decision of the people, and no country can be governed by a minority. What the future outcome of tho situation may bo, that is, of course, in the lap of the gods." Sir Joseph said that during the past few Weeks, and especially since the result of the elections, he had received an onormous amount of correspondence both by letter and telegram. So great had been the volume that he had not been able to deal with it. He hoped, however, to arrange soon for the assistance of a staff, to enable him to reply to those who had so kindly sent their congratulations. He estimated that it would take several weeks to overtake the arrears, and in the meantime he asked his correspondents to excuse him for tho unavoidable delay.