The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1925. THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 113, 15 May 1925, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1925. THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.

For the raus* that lacks assistance, For the irrong that needs resistance. For th" future in the distance, And the pond that ire ran _?o.

Who i? to be Mr. Massey's successor is the political question of the hour. Sir Francis Bell ha? been sworn in «s Prime Minister, but there is no suggestion that till? appointment is anything but temporary. His membership of the Upper House, his age, and probably hi? own inclination, are reasons against Sir Francis Bell being more than a stopgap Prime Minister. We would like. how-

ever, to congratulate him on what, in a ?ense, is a climax tn his long and dis-

tinguished public career. He must be proud of being the first native-horn Prime Minister of New Zealand, even if bis term covers but a few day?.

In thp interval before the party meets to choose Mr. Massey's successor it may be profitable to consider the qualities to he looked for in one who lias to lead

thp party and the House and be the head of the Government. Ability in one direction or another may not suffice for success in a position that carries the heaviest responsibilities in tbe country, and is beset with many kinds of difficulties. First of all. the party lor any party i needs a man it can trust. That character as well as ability is a factor in success Mr. Massey's career proved

abundantly. Then it must have a leader who can kepp it together, and manage thp House, a man with a Parliamentary mind, and one who will carry weight among tbe people. The value of this gift for Parliamentary work is only appreciated to the full by those who havp studied the working of the machine.

Sometimes it goe? with other capacities, but sometimes it docs not. Knowledge of Parliamentary form and procedure; the gift of managing men; ability to pilot an intricate Bill through the House, which involves "thinking on one's feet." knowing a! oncp what may be aeccptpd and what must be rejected; that indefinite but mo?t potent thing called personality—this is the equipment a leader of a Government must have if be is to be a succcs? in Parliament. Mr.

Massey wa? a great Parliamentarian. He knew from beginning to end the business of managing the House, and he was always its master. There must be an acknowledged and respected head if the business of the country is to be done. Besides all this, a party choosing a leader will look for in candidates tbe quality of popular appeal, thp ability to impress the voter with a sense of the Government's worth.

It is generally accepted that the choice lies between two of Mr. Massey's

colleagues in the Ministry, Mr. Downie

Stewart and Mr. Coates. Were Mr. Downie Stewart physically fit there would probably be no doubt about the party's decision. Leaving Sir Francis Bell out of account. Mir. Stewart is intellectually the ablest man in the Cabinet. He has always been a student of politics and economics, he has had considerable Parliamentary experience, and he has the type of mind required in a leader of the House. There is also this important consideration, which we hope the party will bear in mind, that Mr. Stewart has studied Empire questions and foreign affairs, and would make an admirable representative of New Zealand at Imperial Conferences. Mr. Coates, on the other hand, has the physical vigour that Mr. Stewart lacks. He has won a deserved reputation as an energetic reformer in two great Departments. He has ideas and courage, and these qualities of his have impressed the popular mind. From all this, however, it does not follow that he would be a success as head of the party and the Government. His intellectual limitations are probably considerable, and he has not shown any marked aptitude for Parliamentary "leadership. The choice will be made with Mr. Stewar . out of the country, which is bound to tell against him. Much, however, may depend upon the latest reports of bis health. -._ _ _ .___U.2L_£j,_»__S__