Manawatu Daily Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1926 We Hope We Are Wrong!

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2346, 16 January 1926, Page 8

Manawatu Daily Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1926 We Hope We Are Wrong!

The announcement by the “Manawatu Dally Times” of the choice ot bis new Ministers by the Premier has caused something of a sensation throughout New Zealand, The detailed message from our political observer has been reprinted by practically every leading paper in the Dominion and has been freely discussed in all quarters. A rather silly attempt has been made by the obviously disgruntled .‘‘Dominion” to discredit the announcement, but both that journal, and Mr Coates, to whom it appealed, have been very careful to avoid a denial ot the accuracy of any of the statements contained in the article. The Prime Minister, in response to a question said that our observer's* statement was mere “guesswork” and “kite-flying”, and added: “There is no foundation, from any remarks of mine, for the statements that have been published regarding the alleged new members of the Cabinet. The selection will be announc-

ed In due course next week, probably on Monday or Tuesday, .and the announcement will be accompanied by a statement.” This, it will be noticed, is not a denial of the accuracy of the information, and we might say in passing that Mr Coates is quite right when he saya that the statements were not founded on any remarks made by him. However, we very much fear —for the good of the country—that the information we were able to publish from our political observer is only too true. Wo hope—also for the good of the country—that as the official announcement of the Premier's choice has been still further postponed, Mr Coates will see from the reception accorded our announcement that the country Is profoundly disappointed at the decision not to scrap the Ineffectives m hia Cabinet. His best advisers all along have demanded Cabinet reform of a drastic nature. Some of his staunchest newspaper supporters and well wishers —including the ‘‘Times —have continued to point out that the great vote of confidence given by the country to its young leader was largely the result of a conviction that he was a strong man who would not easily be turned aside from his obvious duty. And his first and most urgent duty was to surround himself with the best talent his party could provide, irrespective of seniority or service. Will Mr Coates, while yet there is time, listen to the voice of the people and show himself to be, what we believe he is, a strong man in a crisis? Or will he listen to the noise of office holders 'and office seekers and persist in confirming in office a number of Ministers who are fitted neither by ability nor experience to handle the great tasks that have been allotted them?