Manawatu Daily Times THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1926. Picking his Team

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2338, 7 January 1926, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1926. Picking his Team

Now that the holidays are over and the thoughts of the people are beginning to turn to the more serious things of life, Interest is once more reviving in the reconstruction of Cabinet by the Prime Minister. So far Mr Coates has steadfastly refused to give any indication of his intentions, and the prophets have been busy distributing portfolios in advance. Sufficient time has elapsed lince the party in power chose the young Premier for his important post and he should ere this have made up his mind on the most important question now confronting the country. Mr Coates is a young man, with a big future before him, but that future depends very largely on his choice of the men who will form his Government. The country is watching the issue with no little anxiety, for not only will the choice of the right men be of importance, but the choice of the team will give a very clear indication of the temper of the man who is to be their leader. Mr Coates has a difficult task, and the people who have placed him in so high a position by such an overwhelming vote are anxious to see Jrst how he handles the situation. Ha has two alternatives. He may merely fill the vacant portfolios, and con firm sin their positions of trust and responsibility a number of men who are fitted neither by ability nor experience for their jobs. On the ocher hand he may take the more courageous course of making almost a clean sweep of the old regime, and, disregarding the clamour of those who consider length of service tho paramount claim on office, choose only those whoso abllXy fits them for the task. Never before has a Premier had such a wide field of choice. He has at call men of capacity and vis ion who will serve him and his country well, and relieve him from Departmental ties for the larger duties of leadership. Commenting on one rumour that has been abroad concerning the possibility of a change in the Speakership, tho Evening Post

points cut that this office is not, and should not be made a party position. It is true that Speakers in tn u past have usually been members of tljfe Government party; but the test of fitness has not been party service. The House of Representatives, when it assembles will elect the Speaker, and members will be at liberty to nominate whomsoever they please. But It has been the custom In the past to re-elect the old Speaker if he has discharged his duties fairly and efficiently. If this custom Is now broken, and a new Speaker Installed on a party vote, a new and dangerous precedent will be created. It will bo made to appear that the Speaker is a member of the Government in the same way as a Minister and under similar control.