Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1928. DOMINION POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 March 1928, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1928. DOMINION POLITICS

Zealand’s Parliament will not re-assemble for at least three months, unless abnormal developments occur previously. So far as the general public is concerned. there is no impatience regarding tlie new session’s coming. The third and last session of any Parliament is usually more distinguished by talk than worthwhile legislation, the forthcoming general elections rather than the welfare of the country, being a main influence on the people’s representatives. The effects of this will be probably seen in the attitude adopted during the session, towards >iueh measures as licensing reform, day-light saving, and similar controversial subjects. If the voters, however, are meanwhile remaining calm, those who are members of the present Parliament, and hope to be members of the next, are arousing themselves to campaign preparations, and their prospective opponents are also getting busy. This year’s general (‘lection campaign may be more interesting than usual, by the introduction of the United Political Party candidates. Who these are is wrapt in mystery, at present, but the customary announcements by the organisers and leaders of the new Party are optimistic about the chances of success. Those not in the Party’s confidence will be better able to estimate whether this optimism is well founded when they learn the names of those candidates who are to carry the (J.P.P. banners. It is difficult to believe that many prominent Reformers

are to desert Mr. Coates for the newest Party, and if this is merely the Liberals and Nationalists under another name, it seems a long way round to gain the desired end. At present, it looks as if Labour will-have most cause to acclaim the introduction of the new Party, as this will mean many three-cornered contests, the resultant split-voting among those opposed to Labour, helping the latter to obtain seats in the House, they are not really entitled to. This has happened before, and is inevitable again, if Labour’s opponents do not profit by experience. Now is the time for Constitutionalists to discourage the ambitions of those candidates who have no chance of winning themselves, and whose intrusion must give otherwise safe Reform or Liberal seats.to a. Labour minority representative. Rumours are busy in many constituencies of this or that new aspirant for Parliamentary honours, but it is to be hoped that discretion will be used by those asked for support by some of these new men.

Mr. Coates professes to be unconcerned about- the new Party, and the rumours of Reform, seccders, but there are signs of disunity within his Party ranks, as indeed could be expected. The' Reformers have been so long in office, that some internal friction could scarcely be avoided. No Premier could hope to please all under his banner, and Mr. Coates does not. appear to go out of his way to placate the malcontents. Some of the farmers, too, are breaking away from old allegiances, but so far, this falling off is not very important. It is clear that this year’s election campaign may develop into something really exciting, and meanwhile electors should begin to reflect on the .situation, and their own intentions.