POLITICAL CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 19, 22 July 1925, Page 6

POLITICAL CHANGES

MR. WILFORD AND MR.

COATES

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO

A STATEMENT

• A reply was made by the Prime Minister' last night to the reference made by Mr! Wilford to Mr. Coates having voted for the Reform Party in 1912 when he was a Liberal member.

"If, by his statement, Mr. Wilford infers that I did anything which can bo construed as a breach of faith with my constituents, or as inconsistent, I just wish to quote the platform which was printed and circulated throughout the whole of my electorate during the campaign of 1911," said Miv Coates. "It is:—

" 'He will give the Government a chance to bring down satisfactory legislation dealing with these matters during the first session of the new Parliament. If the Government fail to bring down such legislation during the first session of the new Parliament ho will vote to turn the Government out of office. On all other no-confidence motions Mr. Coates reserves the right to vote as he sees fit.'

"In addressing the House on the occasion I said: 'Now, sir, so far as I am concerned, I think that platform actually frees me. It leaves me absolutely free 1 to do as I think fit, and I desire to say why I did vote against the Mackenzie Administration. Well, Sir, the very first plank in my platform, I think, points that out. The first plank in my platform is freehold. Now, we had in the last Administration no less than six leaseholders. I am assuming that Dr. Rangiktroa is a leaseholder, and I believe he is a leaseholder. At any rate, on previous occasions he has always voted in that direction. As a freeholder, how would I look to my constituents after giving that pledge if I voted for a Ministry of nine which includes six leaseholders?' " FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS Among the congratulations received by Mr. Wilford from old-time Liberals on the formation of the National Party are .messages from Sir James Carroll, of Gisbome, and Mr. J. Trevethick, of Auckland.