NEW LEADER OF REFORM PARTY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18393, 28 May 1925, Page 8

NEW LEADER OF REFORM PARTY.

HOW THE NEWS GAME.

YESTERDAY'S CAUCUS. The Caucus of members of the Reform Party, held at Wellington yesterday, elected the Hon. J.. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, as Leader, in succession to the late Bt. Hon. W. P. Massey.

my election pledge stands to-day just as it did when Mr Massey was alive. The death of Mr Massey has no bearing on that matter." In regard to Mr Allan Bell, it is understood that lie will continue his support of the Rfeform Party, and that he supported Mr Coates at to-day's caucus. Fusion. The question of fusion was briefly discussed, and tho general opinion was that it was impiacticable before an election. • It was loft to Mr Coates to make a statement later. Official Statement. Later in the evening Sir Francis Bell issued /the following official ■ statement:— A meeting of the members of tho Reform Party in the House of Representatives, together with those members who have supported Mr Massoy's Administration jluririg tho first two sessions of the present Parliament, was held at Parliament House to-day, at 2.30 p.m. ■ The Prime Minister (Sir Francis Bell) presided, and there was a full attendance, with tho exception of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who is at present absent from the Dominion. Sir Francis Bell having made it clear that he would not agree to continue to hold office as Prime Minister, the chairman, after a ballot had been taken, declared the Hon. J/G. Coates to have been duly elected Leader of the Party. This decision was subsequently unanimously confirmed. It. was also agreed that a free haild should be given to the new Leader in the formation of his Ministry. Other mattors of considerable political importance were dealt with, in regard to. which the decision was left by the meeting' in tho discretion of the new Leader. tfHE THREE INDEPENDENTS. (PEES 3 ASSOCIATION TKLEQKJLIf.) WELLINGTON, May 27. It is unofficially reported that Mr Coates was unanimously chosen. It is generally. believed that Mr Coates will select all the members of the present Cajbinet for office unless Sir Heaton Rhodes, who has expressed a wish to retire,' do<fe so. Mr G, Witty, who attended the caucus, left early. He Baid he did not vote on the question of leadership. He was offered a voting paper, but did not vote; his pledge stood to-day just as if Mr- Massey, was alive. ■ Mr L. M. Isitt, who is also classed as an Independent, attended the caucus, but did not vote on the question of leadership. The third Independent, Mr A. Bell, was also at the caucus arid he* voted. '

A POPULAR SELECTION. (special to "the press.") WELLINGTON, May 27. The first indication of tho Hon. J. G. Coates's selection as Leader of the Reform Party came in a curious way. A workman coming down the lift said he had heard them singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." This was twenty minutes past four, and tho inevitable conclusion was that .Mr Coates had been selected as leader of the Party. The Caucus having decided who was to bo the new leader adjourned for afternoon tea. Soon afterwards Sir Francis Bell, the Primo Minister, sent for the Press representatives who were in tho building, and to them made a brief announcement. He said: "Joseph Gordon Coates is elected Leader of the and of all those who sit on the right of the Speaker's chair." The latter part of the sentence was somewhat cryptic, because Mr George Witty, one of thoso who sit on the right of the Speaker's chair, though he has votod with the Eeform Government, is not a membor of the Eeform Party, and Mr Lysnpr, who also sits on the right, was not present at the Caucus. Mr Witty, though ho was present at the Caucus, did not vote, but Mr Allan Bell did. It is understood that bhllot papers were issued, so presumably someone in addition to Mr Coates was proposod for the leadership. So far no details are available. It is understood tho Party unanimously. agreed to support Mr Coates. At all events th<? subsequent, proceedings were very hearty, and' every member of the Party sptfken to seemed pleased. The new Leader's ability is perhaps only exceeded by his modosty. He fully recognises tho importance of the office ho is about to assume and the burden that he will have to bear. Congratulated by a friend on the great honour thflt had be<?n done him ho promptly replied: "You are no friend of mine," to which the obvious retort was, "Well, I congratulate you and I sympathise with you.". It "cannot be gainsaid that any one wiio assumes' the office of 'Prime Minister of the Dominion has a hard time in front of him, Mr Coates, as did Mr Massey, will need the sympathy and co-operation of all lus friends aud of thoso who have the welfare of New Zealand at heart. ' ' A Constituent's Tribute. "You need have no fear of Coates. I have known him many years. He is absolutely genuine aiid cannot do a shabby thing. We havo known Gordon a long time, and you will find him the right man for New Zealand." This, was how a Dargavillo man who happened to be in Wellington to.-day referred to New Zealand's future Prime Minister. The man is'not oho who is seeking publicity for himself, but he is a keen student of politics and a good judge of human nature.. Mr Massey's Wish Fulfilled. Now that Mr Coates has been appointed Leader of the Eeform Party, it may be stated that it was Mr.Massey's wish that if anything happened to him his mantle should fall upon Mr Coates. On'more than one occasion Mr Massey stated that Mr Coates was the man who was most likely to succeed him; Now that Mr Coates has beon chosen there, need be no secret about this. Only the other day it was learnt that Mr Massey, on a steamer returning from Englai to New Zealand, made a similar statement to a well-known Ministor in a former Administration, with whom he frankly discussed Mr Coates's many outstanding qualifications and his few limitations. At the sa.mo time, ( Mr Massey expressed a hope that he himself would "die in harhess." The Old and the New. After the Caucus, Sir Francis Bell informed the representative of "T Press " that he would to-morrow seek an interview with his Excellency the Governor-General. That is as far as <Sir Francis could go. He cannot, of course, say whether his Majesty's representative will accord him the desired interview. There is no doubt that his Excellency will graciously grant Sir Francis an audience. Sir Francis will then no doubt tender his resignation, and the resignation of his Cabinet, and if his Excellency thinks fit to ask his advice, Sir Francis will be able confidently to recommend him to send for Mr Coates, who will be able to Bay that he can form a Ministry to carry on the government of the country. Mr Coate: and his colleagues will then become the Ministry of the day, and it may be taken for granted that Mr Coates will decide to carry on to the end of the Parliament with the present Cabinet, that is if he can weather the coming session, of which there seems little doubt. Even if Mr Lysnar does not support him he would still have a majority sufficient to carry on for the time being, presuming the Eeform candidate wijl be elected for tho Franklin seat. The Hon. W. Nosworthy Proposed. J As neither the Hon. W. Downie Stewart nor the Hon. A. D. McLeod was proposed for tho leadership of tho party, and it is known that another name was submitted to the caucus, the inference is that Mr Nosworthy as well as Mr Coates was . proposed for the position^ The result of the voting was not disclosed. There was, however, hearty unanimity in the final, selection of Mr Coates, who, it may be taken for granted, will receive the unstinted Bupport of all his present colleagues in the onerous duties he is about to undertake. The Independents. Mr George Witty, who was present at the caucus, thanked the Eeform Party for the courtesy in sending him an invitation to be present. At the same time, he* said that he would not vote on the question of the leadership of the Party, of which' he is not a member. He stated to your correspon- . dent afterwards: "It is quite clear that