THE SUGGESTED LEADERS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 114, 18 May 1925, Page 6

THE SUGGESTED LEADERS

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS.

(CI TBLE9R.ITH.—SPECIAL TO MB POST.) ■;.-.-" DTJNEDIN, This Day. ■'" The "Ota/io Daily Times," in a leader .„,■on..';*]?? Reform leadership, says: "Mr. t Coates's name has been most persistently ; Tnentioned'iri connection with the vacant -position. There can be no question that the Minister of Railways and Public has made a distinctive mark in public approbation: during the years of office which have • followed his good record of "personal war, service., He possesses an appreciable share of \Mr. Massey's bluff and breezy temperament, arid ■ his qualities of conscientiousness, energy, and reliability have made a. very favourable impression throughout the Domin- ';'.'' ion. "No doubt, he has still" a good, deal M . to learn in the. science and practice of politics, and his • appointment as the ...party.,leader and".Crime,Minister would be something of a venture. " But in pub,olio,as V in private affairs the spirit of yenturesomeness, if not too reckless, may produce happy results. ■ In considering .--the'possibilities-of the situation, the name,of Mr. Downie Stewart should not be, ignored. There can be nothing invidious in saying that the Minister of Customs'" occupies 'a', commanding place among his colleagues. In point of gen--•eral-intellectual equipment a cultured „_-. .student", without a shade of pedantry, a ■•TeadjraTid_ resourceful; debater with the saving _salt- of humour, an expert on economic arid "commercial' matters, arid „.,.persona grata with all political sections, ■■-„ Mr. Stewart has notable ■ qualifications ..i ;£or "the,, liigliest, public, .position.".':,:. It, ha? .^.unfortunately to.be admitted, however, thafc<the question of physical capability ..-jcahnot be left,out,of account." „;.,' . ; ■■