POLITICAL OUTLOOK

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 140, 18 May 1925, Page 5

POLITICAL OUTLOOK

COMMENT ON SITUATION.

THE NEED FOR PATIENCE. Most of the newspapers of the Dominion, in commenting on the political situation created by tho death of ; \L- Massey, stress the desirableness, of opposing to the Labour Socialist movement a united party composed of Reformers and Liberals. It is unfortunate (remarks the Christchurch Press) that the burial of Mr Massey has been followed !o;y i flood of political comment, moat of which is premature and useless. All that should, or can, be said about the position at this stage is that the public should show patience and restraint. While there is naturally a good deal of curiosity as to what lies ahead, the immediate situation is in no way confused. Sir Francis Belt has accepted appointment as Prime Minister only because the .alternative would ho.vo been a rushed and perhaps ill-con-sidered, choice by the party, or a period without art executive. Though no attention should be. paid to rumours of dissension within the party, or within that small group from which the leader will be chosen, it was obviously undesirable to force so important a decision on the rank and file before tho jxisition had been sufficiently pondered,

I?,PECULATION IN SOUTH,

EARLY FLECTION PREDICTED,

CHRISTCHURCH. May 16. To-night’s Star has tho following concorrjng the political situation: “All parties ar.; now taking the keenest interest in the political situation. When interviewed this niornir g on their return from Wellington, several South Island members of Parliament predicted an early eleotion, probably ir July or August. It is recognised that Sir Francis Bell will continue in office as Prime Minister only until the Reform Party can come to a definite agreement as to the new leader. Three candidates, it is BB.id, are in the field for the position: The lions. Coates, Downio Stewart, and McLeod. The most popular choice -mong Reform supporters is the Hon, Mr Coates. They contend that he has proved himself a vigorous administrator and the man best fitted to follow Mr Massey's footsteps The obstacle, however, is that unknown quantity—the fooling of the country. Will the Hon. Mr Coates be able to secure a majority at the polls? That the question bo answered with as little delay as possible is one of tho reasons given for the expected early electon.” “Tonight’s Sun says: Parliamentary representatives who arc members of the Reform Party will meet in cauous in Wellington on Wednesday, May 27. The whole situation as it affects tho party will then be thrown into the melting pot of discussion. Naturally, the question which takes rank as the most important will bo the selection of a leader to be recommended to the Governor-General as Prime Minister. This recommendation is bound to be confirmed, and tho new Prime Minister then will proceed to the selection of his own Cabinet. Everything now points to the Hon. Mr Coates being selected as Prime Minister. A paramount question of policy which is certain to be discussed will be that connected with an early election. There is a body of opinion in the party favouring dissolution on tho day following the caucus. It is proposed to hold in Wellington a meeting of certain executive officers of the party’s organisation throughout the country.” ...

WILL SPPORT GOVERNMENT. AGAINST EXTREME LABOUR. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 18. Regarding the political situation, Messrs Witty, Allan Bell and Isitt said that in any vote of no-confidence in the Government, to which vote was attached the question of extreme Labour coming into power, they would vote with the Government. Mr Bell said: “I take it that the pledge I gave does not die with Mr Massey.”

Sir R. Heaton Rhodes said he was ready to relinquish portfolio at any time. Mr Wilford had no statement to make.

Messrs Horn (Wakatipu) and Murdoch (Marsden) have been elected to the executive of the Liberal-Labour party.

MR ATMORE’S PROPOSAL. WELLINGTON, May 16. In a statement made to-day regarding the political situation Mr Atmore, M.P.; urged that party interests and personal claims to Ministerial office should be put aside in order to give free play for the national spirit. “Phrases did not win the war, neither did manoeuvring for party advantages, and as certain party platitudes and generalities cannot solve the problems of peace, I believe that the people are weary of petty party squabbles, which obscure great issues and blind the people to the realities of the situation.” said Mr Atmore. “The passing of the Prime Minister has removed the most prominent figure from Parliament and left the Reform Party much weaker in consequence and with the full knowledge of the personal capacities of each member of the House of Representatives I unhesitatingly assert that not any of the existing parties singly can form that Government to give national service which the spirit of the times requires and to which the people are justly entitled. No mere fusion of names will do, and with my knowledge of the party system I am sure that no one party will agree to bo absorbed by the other. A new meeting ground must be arranged and a national party must he formed, not only in name, hut in spirit of service ana true appreciation of the country's requirements.” THE FRANKLIN SEAT. SUPPORT FOR MR J. N. MASSEY. AUCKLAND, May 17. “Reform opinions at Pukekohe seem very solidly to support the movement to send Mr J. N. Massey to Parliament as its representative in the place of his father,” says tho Auckland Star. Indeed, an energetic canvass among the local Reformers reveals no other idea. The people of Pukekohe declare that they fully realise that Pukekohe is not the whole of the Franklin electorate; in fact, it is no longer tho centre, since it has been shorn of two limbs in Waiuku and Tuakau, but they say that so far as they are concerned, ‘Jack Massey will do thorn.’ Other parts of the electorate, they admit, have every right tio put forward a man they think best fitted for nomination as a Reform candidate, but they themselves says: ‘Mr Massey’s seat should be for the son of his father.’

“Mr J. N. Massey ho 3 not yet returned from Wellington to his farm at Puni, and ho has not yet been officially recommended for the nomination by any formal meeting of the Reform Party. The facts are that ho was telegraphed to by tho chairman of the late Prime Minister’s election committee, Mr F. Perkins, and the secretary, Mr J. B. Sim, and told that it was the unanimous wish of his late father’s supporters at Pukekohe that he should accept nomination for the party’s candidature. Mr Massey replied that he would consider the matter, and he would let the election committee know his decision on his return to Pukekohe. Following on this Mr Massey was interviewed by Mr Perkins and others after the funeral at Wellington, and it is understood that although no definite answer was given, the Pukekohe committee has a pretty good idea that its wishes will be complied with. It is also understood that Ministers of

the Crown at tho capital gave assurances o£ their entire favour with tho proposal that young Mr Massey should bo put forward as, successor-elect of his father as Franklin’s representative. However, Mr Massey’s decision is not yet definite. “It is admitted that he may even be compelled by private circumstances to decline tho offer of nomination, as he has a family to look after, and the business of his farm requires constant attention. Domestic consideration will therefore weigh largely with his decision. ‘But Jack Massey’s the man for us,’ said one earnest advocate, ‘and in the circumstances if any other man, no matter of what party, seeks to oppose him, well, it will show very bad taste on his part.’ “Mr F. Perkins made the following statement to-day: ‘We consider that out of respect to tho memory of tho late Prime Minister there is only one man in the world who should be elected, in (lie meantime, at any rate. It would be a fitting tribute of respect to the lato Mr Massey to allow his son to enter Parliament as the representative of Franklin absolutely unopposed. It is quite likely that there will be a general election in the course of a few weeks —at least, this is on the cards. Certainly, there will be a general election in the next few months. Then we consider the road will be open to all and sundry who would like to give it a go.’ ”