THE GREAT VICTORY

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 3

THE GREAT VICTORY

WHAT THE PAPERS S'AY. “FAIRLY SWEPT THE COUNTRY.” The newspapers of the Dominion applaud the sweeping victory gained by Hon. J. G. Coates and his party. The New Zealand Times (Wellington) says: “New Zealand has remained true to itself. ft has remained true to its cherished Imperial instincts and ideals. It is just those things in especial for which Hon. .J. (1. Coates stands, and stands so firmly. On Wednesday he received from the constituencies such a mandate as is given to few leaders. He fairly swept the country from end to end. The known personal and administrative qualities of Mr Coates and his downright, allembracing policy, were responsible tor the triumph. Wc said at the outset of his career as Prime Minister that Mr Coates sot a new, a refreshingly new, fashion in Prime Ministers. That was a true saying, fie was so little of the traditional politician and so much the man .of action tiiat he surprised even his friends and startled his opponents. He repeated that performance on Wednesday with a vengeance. It was no less than a tremendous achievement. Mr Coates has only to prove himself as good' as his word, and he will make history. The people expect much of him. We predict that he will not disappoint them.” The Hawke's Hay Herald (Napier): “There is no mistaking the meaning of the figures. The country has awakened to the seriousness of the position. It has determined to make sure that for the next three years its affairs shall he conducted on a sound basis. It lias reduced Labour’s representation; it does not want people in Parliament

j whose first aim is industrial unrest. llt lias considerably reduced the. strength ol' the Liberal or Nationalist Party. It lias given that party an unmistakeahle hint that its proper course is to get hehind Mr Coates. A great deal of this result is no doubt due to the effect produced by the recent tour of Air Coatos, who made an impression on the country which was remarkable from every point of view. But no doubt Air Coates was helped by recent events in the industrial scene, events which must have satisfied most reasonable voters that it was no time to play fast and loose with the country’s interests.” The Otago Daily Times:—“The magnitude of ihc victory which the Reform Party has accomplished is actually astonishing. It is in a largo measure a personal triumph for All- Coates. Ticlias clearly impressed the public with the sense of his activity and virility, and, what is more important siill, with the sense of his earnestness. I Right through the conn try there is the same evidence of feeling on impart of electors that Air Coates should ! he ‘given a chance.’ A remarkahlo feature ol the election is provided in the fact that not a single member of the .Reform Party in the last Parlia-1 meat wlm offered himself for election has lost his seat, while the new members of the party arc more numerous than the total strength of either the National or Labour Party. ’I he fact is one that illustrates rather forcibly the character of the ‘land slide’ in favour , of the Government. It is to he noted j with satisfaction that the Country Party which put up three candidates for northern seats lias been severely rebuffed.” The New Zealand Herald (Auckland) : —“it should lie very evident that ‘socialisation of means of prodtic- 1 lion, distribution and exchange,’ wakes ! no great echo in the heart of Now i Zealand, hut beyond platforms and policies something, a very largo something, must be allowed to the magnetism, personality and record of the new leader, wlm has been amply confirmed in his recently-conferred office of Prime Alblister, lie captured the imagination of a large section of the people. That fact, added to the circumstances already detailed, can be given credit for the Government being returned with so sweeping a majority. . . . The choice of the country lias implications which should lie given very earnest consideration by the Government. All- Coates has ask-! eil for an expression ol the Dominion’s I confidence. He has got ii. He has j put forward a policy for endorsement, j jlt has been endorsed. He has sought I ihe opportunity to give effect to do- | finite political ideals; that opnoitun- j ity is now his. The end of the election campaign is the beginning of the Government’s task. The country looks to Air Coates for the fulfilment of the hopes that lie, himself, by speech and deed, has done much to raise. His chance is a great one.” The Christchurch Sun:—“Commonsense and not Conservatism has pre--1 vailed in the popular test of national i polities throughout the Dominion. : And it has triumphed to an extent I and with a thoroughness only in the | regal days of '’ Richard John Seddcm. II may he urged that the crushing Parliamentary majority which lias been presented to Deform may involve the danger of arrogance and a temptation toward administrative slackness. There is really no sol id ground on which to base such, a contention. Air Contes knows unite well that lie has yet to prove his mettle as la leader in statesmanship, and that a ! trust has been- bestowed on him gen- | orously on the national understanding | that lie will hasten to discharge it.with I courage, efficiency and absolute Tair- ! ness.”