THE REAL ISSUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 245, 16 October 1925, Page 6

THE REAL ISSUE.

The main strategy of Reformers in this election contest is to play their leader rather than their party and its record. The portrait of Mr. Coates looks at the world from all the newspapers. His name has become a battle-cry. It is not "Vote for Reform" so much as "Vote for Coates and Progress." The Prime Minister is regarded as the party's greatest asset, and that asset is being advertised with all the astuteness of the publicity agent. One feels rather sorry for Mr. Coates. He is the Business Man, the Man Who Does Things, the bright Young New Zealander, and so forth. We eheerfuHy admit that though there is exaggeration in all this, it rests on a basis of truth. Among Reformers Mr. Coates is the greatest asset of his party. He has done important things. He has shown courage and enterprise in introducing valuable reforms. He is a popular figure, and there is something that appeals to the imagination in his origin, his age, and his career. On the other hand, he is a valuable asset partly because his party is weak in men of ability and character. The Ministry sags in several places, and it is losing a strong prop by the retirement of Sir Francis Bell. We are not in the least surprised, therefore, that Reformers should boom Mr. Coates for all he is worth, which is a good deal—and more. The main question before the electors, however, is not whether or not Mr. Coates is a great man, or even the best leader. It is whether the country has been governed "well by Reform in the last thirteen years. Has Reform fulfilled the promises it made before it took office? Has it done the best that lould be done amid the opportunities md difficulties of these years? We do not think it has. We submit that it must be judged first and foremost on its record, and also on what may be expected of it with its personnel and its associations.