MR. COATES RESIGNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1928, Page 7

MR. COATES RESIGNS

NOTABLE “FAREWELL” SPEECH TRIBUTES FROM OPPONENTS (Special to "Star.”/ WELLINGTON, December 7. On the resumption of the House this afternoon, Mr Coates said that in view of the decision arrived at by the House on the no confidence motion it would be his duty to tender his resignation to the Governor-General. After a word of appreciation of Mr Coates’s general attitude in the present circumstances, Sir J. Ward intimated that when the House re-assembled, he would make an important statement on some important matters. At the moment, he was unable to say whether another session would be necessary. He hoped shortly to be. able to make a proposal regarding his policy, and indicate how he proposed to act. Mr Holland added a word of appreciation remarking that every fighter liked a fighter, and when the scrap was over friendships remained the same. , ■ . Sir A. Ngata spoke appreciatively of the work done by Mr Coates in the interests of the Maori people. Mr Coates briefly acknowledged the tributes, and the House adjourned until Tuesday.

CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES. Brief reference to election promises in regard to salary cuts in the. civil service was made by Mr Coates in his Address-in-Reply speech to-day. During the election campaign, he said, promises had been made by various candidates to increase salaries and reduce customs and other taxation. He suggested that those who were coming into office, might examine the replies he had made to deputations from civil servants. In his opinion, it was necessary to control Government expenditure. They could not lavish money much as they might like to do it. Sir J. Ward had stated in the House in reply to an interjection, that he was not going to reinstate “cuts.” Sir J. Ward: “I did not say that I was not going to do anything about the “cut.” I said I would investigate the ‘cut.’ ” Mr Coates: “That clears it up. I think that the Right Hon. Gentleman, or any other Gentleman, will find it difficult if they are going to reinstate the ‘cut.’ ” Sir J. Ward: “I am of opinion that they had a promise.” Mr Coates replied in the negative, and said he thought that from an accountant’s point of view it would be impossible to reinstate 10 per cent, ‘cut.’ Sir J. Ward: I don’t think so. Mr Coates: Personally I don’t think it is possible. Sir J. Ward: I quite agree that it is very difficult. Mr Coates said he had informed a deputation before the election that he could not make any promises then, but that he had hopes that if they finished up the year they would be able to give those the deputation represented some measure of satisfaction. Mr Parry: Who voted for the ‘cut’? Mi’ Coates: The Parliament of this country approved of the proposals made at that time. Sir J. Ward (looking in Mr Parry’s direction): It was the Government with Mr Massey at the head of it, if you want to insinuate anything improper. ROTORUA VOTERS. “Did you think of that when you transferred 300 men from one electorate to another, just before the General Election?” asked Sir J. Ward of Mr Coates, in the House to-day, when Mr Coates was speaking of his attachment to the country. Mr Coates: That never happened. Sir J. Ward: Ask Mr Hockly.

Mr Coates: There was nothing of the kind, the- late member for Rotorua will know that as well as I do. The Rotorua line was started, and as far as I know the men have been kept regularly on that work since it has been started. I can assure the Hon. Gentleman that the matter was never given any consideration. We have never endeavoured to play false with the people in that connection. We have never taken into consideration the question of votes. The Leader of the Opposition: But the late Minister of Agriculture said that he did. It was published in your own paper, the “Newsletter,” the official organ of the Reform Party. Mr Coates: The Hon. Gentleman has referred to Rotorua. I can give him this suggestion. When he gets the opportunity send for the file and look at it. Sir Joseph Ward: Oh, I don’t want any resurrection. Mr Coates: Well, I would welcome the keenest inquiry. Nothing of the kind has ever been considered. Mr Mason: They were not changed ovei’ in time for them to qualify as voters in the new electorates. Mr Coates: I know nothing about it. So far as I am concerned, nothing occurred. “GREAT IN DEFEAT.” (Special to “Star.")

WELLINGTON, December 7. The Coates Government is now out of office, or at any rate it will be in the course of a few hours, but the manner of its departure was exceedingly quiet. There was no exultation on the Opposition benches, when the result of the division was announced, and the result was received in silence. It had been agreed among the United that there should be no demonstration of any sort. The most outstanding figure of the whole proceedings was Mr Coates, and on all sides, the opinion is expressed that, his was a 100 per cent speech. He spoke for an hour and a-half, in the course of which, he reviewed the trying period through which the Government had come and difficulties which he had had to face ever since he became Prime Minister in May, 1925, adding that it was true that the electors had seen fit to change their opinions. He said that he accepted that, but ho felt no humility at all. “1 did my best, and have put up the best, fight I could. I have tried to think far enough ahead and think only of the interests of the country as a whole,” ho declared, on which Mr. Fraser remarked that the Labour

Party gave him credit for the way he accepted the position. Mr Coates said it was possible that the good work of his colleagues had not been realised by the electors, but the policy adopted by the Government was one that would have been adopted by any sensible body of men, in the interests of the country. Concluding his speech, Mr Coates expressed the hope that members of the Government would be able to render assistance to those who followed them. He would always be ready to give his opinion for what it was worth, for he had ideas that might be of some use, despite what had been said during the election. “I don’t care twopence for what was said during the election, for it was said in the heat of the moment.” He added, “I sincerely trust that I have never hit below the belt. I have no rancour and no resentment.”

The dignified tone of Mr Coates’s final speech made a great impression on the House, and tributes were paid by Sir J. Ward and Mr Holland to the way in which Mr Coates had faced defeat. There was a chorus of hear hears, when Mr Holland said that Mr Coates had never appeared to better advantage, even in the moment of his most decisive victory, than in the hour of defeat to-day. A caucus of the Reform Party held during the day testified by unanimous resolution its appreciation of the dignified and manly speech delivered by Mi- Coates, and the members present said they felt it was the finest effort Mr Coates had made since he assumed the Leadership of the Party.

CABINET POSSIBILITIES. The new Cabinet will not be announced until Monday. Although the Government has been defeated, Ministers of the Crown will remain in office until such time as the new Ministry is sworn in. His Excellency is never left without advisers, the resignation of the old Ministry and the swearing of the new taking place simultaneously. There is, naturally much speculation as to the personnel of the new Ministry, and it is regarded likely that Sir Joseph Ward will take in with him Messrs Forbes, Wilford, Ransom, Donald, Taverner, Atmore, Veitch, and Sir A. P. Ngata. Territorial considerations will no doubt largely guide the choice which Sir J. Ward makes, but it is stated that there will be some surprises, Mr Polson’s name being freely mentioned as a likely new Minister, the appointment being the price of sacrificing his independence, but as against this it is thought that Mr. Smith, who has had long political experience, has superior claims to Mr. Polson, who is a tyro. One of Sir J. Ward’s difficulties in selecting a Cabinet is that many of those from whom he has to choose are new to political life, although their ability is not disputed. The name of Colonel McDonald is freely mentioned as a likely Minister of Defence, and thus maintaining the Wairarapa representation in the Ministry. It is also suggested that Mr Stallworthy may have a chance of selection as Minister of Education, but this portfolio is also mentioned in connection with Mr Smith’s name. Mr Sidey is regarded as the possible Leader of the Upper House. * The Cabinet met this afternoon, after the adjournment of the House, but it is unlikely there will be any further developments until Monday at the earliest. Reform Members were 'busy this afternoon choosing the seats they are to occupy on the Opposition Benches of the House.

RESIGNATION TENDERED. WELLINGTON, December 8. Mr Coates has tendered his resignation as Prime Minister, and that of his colleagues to his Excellency the Governor-General. It is expected that Sir Joseph Ward will be sent for to-day, and asked to form a new Cabinet. BAY OF ISLANDS (Special to "Star.") AUCKLAND, Dec. 8. Col. Allen Bell, on being interviewed yesterday, stated that he had not taken any steps whatever to upset the Bay of Islands elections. Such course was regarded by him as unsportsmanlike, more especially as the unfortunate muddle had not been caused by his opponent, but who, by law would be compelled to pay the costs, amounting probably to several hundred pounds. Speaking personally, he had no wish to represent the Bay of Islands, on the vote of the Returning Officer, or as the result of a petition to upset the election, which he claimed could be done, on at least a dozen grounds. He felt that his representation of the electorate was not'in any way reflected in the recent vote cast. In fact, when the news reached him, he had been elected by one vote, he had immediately written to the Prime Minister asking permission to resign his seat and bring on a by-elec-tion, which stripped of various side issues would reflect the opinion of his constituents with regard to his personal work. So far as he was concerned the whole matter was now left in the hands of his friends and supporters, whom he had informed he would not be a party, either directly or indirectly, to upsetting the election, but he had no objection whatever to the investigation of votes by two Supreme Court Judges, as provided by law. This would give his opponent, like himself, a fair sporting chance. If under the unfortunate conditions, that had arisen Mr. Rtishworth was prepared to resign, and again contest the seat he would be more than pleased.