IS COALITION COMING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 20 June 1912, Page 5

IS COALITION COMING.

ONLY A PAPER WALL BETWEEN. [By Telegraph—Special to Star.] WELLINGTON, June 19. It is significant, in view of the coalition ideas generally current, that Mr F. Mauder, Opposition M.P. for Marsden, should have made the following remark? at a banquet in honor of the Premier at Whangarei on Monday night. Referring to Mr T. Mackenzie's speech, he said: "Nearly everything he said I can pretty well agree to. If he can only get his colleagues to agree with him, I do not think it would be hard to come « little closer together and form a coalition that would carry oi; the Government of the country'for a long time. That is the most sensible1 thing that can take place. After all, there was only a paper wal 1 between many of the followers of both sides of the House, and they should tear down that wall1 and kick it away. There are extremists on both sides, but the moderate, sensible men should gravitate a little closer together. Politics to-day are in a very difficult position. I do not care what Government is in power, they have very great difficulties to face, and*it will take all the common-sense of the best men m Parliament to carry on the Government in this country at tFiis time. ''Moderates should"gravitate together. It behoves the moderate, common-sense men of the country to gravitate together and bring about a better state of things than exists at present. Unfortunately, with some, party interests are more important than the interests t. 1 0ountr. v- Iso for principles rather than men, and I hone' at next election that the hon. £rentleman and some of his more sensible friends will some over and. help us to govern well. I chink we ought to come together and work in the interests of tMs"country. I wish the hon. gentleman all sorts ot luck as Ions; as he keeps on the right track, and I will supoort him whenever I think he is on "the right track." The Premier interjected: "On a want or confidence motion?" Mr Mander: No: not on a want of confidence motion. (Laughter.)