"THE DEBACLE"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 16 November 1928, Page 10

"THE DEBACLE"

(By Telegraph.) (From Our Special Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, This Day. Under the caption of "The Debacle," the "Evening Star" phrases its comment in the following terms: "The reaction from the 'Coates wave' of 1925 has meant a debacle, for tho Reform Party. The result of the elections has been dramatic beyond expectation. Tho Reform. Party was approaching the time when its natural decline owing to the duration of its rule' prompting staleness on its own party and weariness on the part of the electors, was to be looked for in accordance with all political precedent. When tho advent of a new leader gave it a new lease of life three years ago, the enthusiasm for it which was revived then, was short-lived. Tho expectations formed of Mr. Coates were not fulfilled; disappointment succeeded to over-extrava-gant hopes, and the process of reaction has caused his party to be punished out of proportion to its sins or its deficiencies. Not only has its great majority been reduced, but it has ceased to ijc a majority of the House. It will not even bo the strongest party if somo who chose to call themselves Independents in tho contest are found voting on the side of *he Uniteds. It is not only to split voting that the Reformers can attribute their defeat; in no fewer than nine contests their sitting members havo been defeated by a candidate of one of tho other parties where there was no third contestant in the field. The Liberal, or Nationalist, Party, which seemed 'down and out' as the result of last preceding elections, has had an amazing resurrection under its new name of United, and under Sir Joseph Ward 'a leadership it ,\s at least the second party in tho House, relegating Labour quite emphatically to their place, though Labour has increased in strength. Unfortunately there is no party which now has a majority of the House, none which can carry on as a Government without some sort of arrangement made with others. A short early session must now bo held, at which Sir Joseph Ward will have iirst right to move a vote of no confidence in tho Government, which may be expected to be carried with the Labour Party's support. A new Government must then be formed, which cannot be formed from the Labour Party, which will then be the weakest In tho House. Whoever forms' it must be assured of sufficient support from both the sections that are opposed to Socialism to allow it to continue and perform tho country's business, otherwise a new election will bo the only means of solving the difficulties. The probabilities are that the support will be found."