POLITICAL PUZZLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10748, 20 November 1928, Page 5

POLITICAL PUZZLE.

WHAT SHOULD MR COATEg DO? - / ’• ' . f GIVE SIR J. WARD A CHANCE TO KEEP HIS PLEDGES! A CAUSTIC SUGGESTION. . (Special To The Times). AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. The Herald, in a further .comment on the political situation, outlines its view; of the position that Mr Coates should take' up. This is , distinctly interesting.. The paper urges that, as Mr Coates and his followers are not hampered by any pledges regarding motions ,of no-conlidence in a Government formed by another party/ he should refuse to assist in defeating another Government. The article proceeds:— “If Mr Coates refrains from attempting to defeat whatever Gov-f ernment is in power, and refuses to allow it to bo defeated,- 'then certain promises given the country during the election campaign wijk have to be put into execution, n possible, or stand- as; confessed shams. For Sir Joseph Ward- to refuse to form a, Cabinet or for a dissolution to be forced before anything had been attempted by anybody would be an easy.way olit. for those who have promised the country far more than they can possibly perform. The course which duty and expediency combine to lay down for Air Coates is to refrain from moving no confidence motions, to refuse support to any that may be moved, to refrain from obstruction, but to exorcise to the full his right of criticism, to deprive the Government succeeding lnm of any excuse for ©vading its promises by pleading malignant ■" opposition from the other side, to let the country see what progress is made by those wlio accused him of failure, and professed to have the secret ofsuccess ,in their possession. If ho does this, he will play a. perfectly legitimate and thoroughly justifiable role.”

HEAD OF A NEW GOVERNMENT. WOULD SIR <j. STATHAM DO? (Special To The Times/. AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. An old Parliamentary hand writes to the Herald: “According to precedent, Sir -T. Ward would seem to be clearly entitled to be asked to form u Ministry, but, assuming that he iails —and many people are assuming that he will fail—the possibilities, short of dissolution, are worth reviewing. If Sir J. Ward, fails, it is not likely that Mr Coates would trv looking elsewhere. There is one man with an outstanding opportunity and that is Sir C. Statham, the Speaker in the last Parliament. Not only has he the opportunity, but it will be very generally conceded that be has the ability. Although he has never been a Minister, he has had long Parliamentary experience. One thing stands in the way. The election of the Speaker is the first, net of the new Parliament, and, if Sir O. Statham accepts that office, his opportunity for Cabinet-making would, in all probability, be gone. Assuming that Sir C. Statham is free to form a Cabinet, there is in the House good material for the Speakership. Mr Wilford is highly qualified for the ’ position: Mr Downie Stewart could, undoubtedly fill it with great credit and dignity. But both might prefer and expect places in Cabinet. Possibly the best .man left is Mr Field, of Otaki, who, from his long association with Parliament, and bis legal training, ought to be quite equal to the Speakership.” RICCARTON SEAT

REFORM WINS BY 45 VOTES (Frees Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. The final result of the election for the Riccarton seat was declared by the returning officer (Mr Albert Freeman), this afternoon, Tho voting was as follows : H. S. S. Kyle (R.)... 4515 A. A. McLaehlan (U.) 4470 G. H. Thompson (L.) 1671 Majority for Kyle, 45. f

W A ITEM AT A AND MANUK AU SEATS. • (Press Association./ AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. The official count for the Wa-ite-mata election was completed to-day and resulted: —Harris (R) 4683, Greville (U) 4368 Osborne (Li) 2485. The Manukati count was also completed:—Jordan (L) 6116, Mason (U) 2752, Bunn (R) 2477.

IRATE WOMEN VOTERS. RALLOT-PA.FURS TORN UP. INR'I'RUCTIONS RESENTED. Sidelights at the polling booths indicate that women will have their say, whatever the result. Two women voters who were reminded of their obligations at the parish hall at Dovonport proved tins. A woman and her daughter received their ballot papers together, and then, commenced a rapid conversation. A. poll clerk intimated that talking or interference with voting was not permissible. , The woman became very vexed, and tore up her ballot papers, and threw them at the feet of the clerk. The daughter stalked out of the booth, easting her ballot papers into a corner of the booth. The clerk carefully picked them up. and, marking them informal, placed them in the ballot boxes.

MR. JAS. MACPHERSON. Mr. J. A. MacPherson, the elected member for Oamafii, deposes Mr. E. P. Lee. Both these -gentlemen have alternate wins and defeats. Mr. MacPherson first entered Parliament in 1905 as member for Mount Ida, defeating tho Hon. A. L. Herdman. In 1968 he was defeated and suffered a like fate in ,1911, 1914. and 1919. re-entering the House again’ in 1922, by defeating Mr. Lee. At last elections he was again put out by Mr Lee, but has had the opportunity to turn the tables once more. Mr. MacPherson is highly trained in agriculture, finance and banking, while his commercial activities have been extensive. He has served on most local bodies in his district, and has been a'"successful director of several firms.

MR. C. G. BLACK. Mr. C. G. Black, United member for Motueka, is. 24 years of age. and the youngest member in Parliament. Since 1923 Mr. Black has been a sessional committee clerk in the House of Representatives as clerk to, the Goldfields and. Mines Committee,. and of the Public Accounts , Committee since 1925, besides being attached to the' special soled* committees that have, dealt with the main questions before Parliament in recent Tears. He has been connected , with;. the Motor Vehicles Bill Committee, the Rural Credits Commission Report Committee, Intermediate Rural .Credit Bill Committee, and the joint Samoan Petition Inquiry Committee.