NEW LEADER

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 May 1925, Page 5

NEW LEADER

WHO WILL IT BE.

POLITICAL SITUATION

PROSPECTS OF COALITION. (By Telegraph-—Special to Star). WELLINGTON, i May 20. Provoked by an Auckland report that Sir Francis Bell’s administration would recommend a leader to next, week s caucus or the Reform l'arty, Sir iiancij 801 l lias entered into the leadership discussion to the limited extent of dee aring what. was well understood beforehand, that Cabinet would np.t nominate anyone, but would leave the choice to the party. When the caucus meets, Ministers will be in the same position as private members of the party. It- has also been suggested publicly that the members of the Reform Fartv, when sounded on the occasion o.f the late Prime Minister’s funeral, disclosed overwhelming support for Mr Coates. While it is quite true that there appeared to be a preponderance of opinion in favour of the Minister for Railways, there was nevertheless a feeling of resentment which found free expression, especially among the Southern members, at the Auck'aiul section of the party, both in and out of Parliament, 'starting so early and so vigorous’.y in advancing the claims of the Auckland

matters had been narrow, this might well have prejudiced Mr Coates, despite his excel'ent claims, for he has not cultivated popularity among his own supporters in the House, and it popularity, as ai factor alone had to be considered, he would not win against Mr Downie Stewart. lii regard to the latter’s claims, Sir Francis Roll lias given to the public a J the information, which is available regarding his prospects of return to nealtli, and in so doing, and in denying the suggestion that Mr Stewart has offered to renounce his claims in favour of Mr Coates, the present Prime Minister has simply acted impartially a.s a kind of political referee, .who will endeavour to keep the field clair until the decision is made at the proper time. At least one Auckland member of the Reform Party has expressed himself as being against coming to a decision until Mr Stewart returns to. New Zealand, but the necessity bf the party having a leader in time to meet Parliament towards the end of June wi.l cause this objection to he overridden at the caucus. SPIRIT OF THE PARTY. It was evident in conversation with Reiorm members that tney are hoping cor a leadership which will mean a complete breai-T. from the old Conservative traditions. While co-operation with the Liberals was largely scouted, and only regarded as a contingency to be considered if the general elections snowed such a course to be necessary, Reformers would welcome developments along more radical lines than have been favoured in the past. COALITION NOT DEAD.

Coalition is not yet disposed of, for there are influential people in tbe Reform Party who believe tnat the time to make aii advance to the Liberals is now. Against this has been set the fact that both the Liberals and -tie-, form Parties have adopted official candidates in many constituencies, and that if an alliance was made before the election it would mean breaking faith with, these candidates. The issue, despite this practical difficulty, is sure to be definitely raised in the coming caucus. Many Reform Parliamentarians have a personal objection to an arrangement with the Liberals, as it would inevitably be based on some Liberal representation in the new Cabinet, and there are not enough good positions to go round, and a prospective loss of, say, three' would be a serious hurdle which coalition advocates would have to overcome. ihe new leader must be given an unfettered choice of colleagues, and if Mr Coates has the responsible taek of choosing Ministers he would probably approach it without the strong party prejudices so familiar in Parliamentary history. Mr Coates has not been a strong party man. Entering the House as? a Liberal, he changed his leader because the freehold principles to which he was pledged were, in his opinion, in great danger from the then Liberal Cabinet. The freehold issue has ceased to seriously divide the old parties, therefore Mr Coates may find little except the practical difficulties above enumerated to prevent him from making approaches to the official Opposition. Sir Heaton Rhodes, as a result of a statement made bv Mr David Jones, that he wall stand for Ellesmere only if Sir Heaton Rhodes is not a candidate, repeated to-day his statement that he will not seek re-election. His medical advisers have informed him that he would probably not be able to stand the strain of half a campaign, much less the complete one. It is also a possibiity that Sir’ Heaton Rhodes will not he anxious to retain the Defence portfolio in the new Ministry. If so the new leader will have two vacancies to fill, assuming he retains all the former Massey Cabinet.^ Sir Francis Bell is unlikely to remain in active politics after the present position is cleared up, therefore the Government will require to find a new leader of the Legislative Council at an early date.

MR WITTY SUMS UP. AN ADVOCATE OF COALITION. (BY TET.EGRAPK PRESS VSSOPIATIOIS CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. Why has Mr George Witty, member for Riccarton, decided to retire after the coming session and not seek re-election? He was asked that question by a reporter to -night. “Old age and poverty are the two chief reasons,” Mr Witty replied. To an exclamation of incredulity from the interviewer, Mr Witty said that in a fortnight’s time he would be in his seventies. He added that out of his fifty years’ sojourn in this country, he had' been engaged in. public service for 45 years, 23 years being as a member of Parliament. He had also held many important positions on the various local governing authorities, and was proud. to be able to reflect that never during his public career had he ever known a defeat when he came before the electors. “What about the poverty?” questioned the reporter. ‘ ‘ Had I remained out of the House I would have been better off in point of possessions than I am to-day,” Mr Witty said; “but I have this satisfaction, that while I have lost personally the people I served have gained the benefit.” *• ' “But you have other reasons?” “Yes, my family arc now away and my wife is alone, and it is time I had a little bit of ease and rest, for hitherto I have been going all the time

for others. Another reason is that I will not fool the same interest in the House now that Mr Massey has 'gone. It was always a pleasure to!meet him and to have anything to do with him. ”• “Now that you are in a position of detachment, what do you think of the political situation?” ' ’ : ' V' “The only thing I'can see for the safety of the country is- that the two parties, Reform and Liberal, must come together and form one national.party, and that fdr the good of the personal ambitions must be put' aside. The parties must sink their differences and personal ambitions. Only, that will save the country. If that is not done all I can see is chaos ahead; afid this country is too good to be ruined by the ambition of a few. It is "unfortunately generally the case that the most ambitious and pushful men are the least capable.”