MR. COATES' PLAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 279, 24 November 1928, Page 12

MR. COATES' PLAN.

PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE.

SESSION ON TUESDAY WEEK.

GOVERNOR ACCEPTS ADVICE,

CABINET NOT UNANIMOUS. ißy Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Mr. Coates fulfilled his promise of what he termed an interim statement regarding the Government's action in the political crisis by handing to a pressman shortly before midnight the following:— "I have already stated that when the results of the general election were definitely ascertained I would make a further statement as to the course of action the Government intended to follow. Although the final results in all the electorates are not yet to hand, they are now sufficiently definite to enable a decision to be arrived at as to the procedure to be adopted.

"It seems evident that no party has in itself a clear majority in the House, and in these circumstances I am of the opinion that the constitutional course is to call Parliament together as soon as possible in order that the position may he tested.

"His Excellency the Governor-General will accordingly be advised to summon Parliament to meet on Tuesday, Decern her 4."

'T may say, added Mr. Coates, "that in accordance with my duty I have discussed the situation with his Excellency, who has been pleased to accept the advice I have taken the responsibility of tendering.

"I may also state that in the interval, until Parliament assembles, it is the intention of the Government to refrain from mailing any appointments beyond such as are essential for the proper discharge of the public business." Two Opposing Views. When he handed typewritten slips to pressmen containing the information for which they had waited several days, the Premier remarked cheerfully: "Now you can go ahead and criticise it." He was assured that the only need of the moment was to get the Government's decision, and that it seemed quite clear that the Prime Minister would meet Parliament as early as possible without adopting the resignation alternative.

"That's one man's opinion anyhow, and you can say the Minister of Health agrees with it," added Mr. Coates, turning to the Hon. J. A. Young, who was the only other Minister in the Cabinet room at the moment.

The Prime Minister's remark gives pointed corroboration to a report that there has been considerable difference of opinion in Cabinet regarding the correct course to adopt.

There has been no disagreement regarding the necessity for a session at the earliest convenient moment, but a fairly large number of the Premier's colleagues strongly advised him to accept the position indicated by the election results and resign, with a recommendation to the Governor-General to send for Sir Joseph Ward, who would have then met Parliament with his new Ministry, probably about the middle of January. This course Would have avoided the necessity of a defeated Cabinet listening, possibly for week's, to highly critical comment, with the inevitable result of a successful no-confidence amendment as final.

However, another section advised that it would be more in line with correct procedure to require from members a registration of their opinion on the divison lists of Parliament.

Incidentally it was argued that this would show United and Labour voting together iii the first division of the new Parliament, and the latter course was finally taken by Mr. Coates, not with unanimous agreement, though he has accepted responsibility for the decision, and on his personal resignation, if tendered to the Governor-General, the whole Cabinet would go out of office.