Independence

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 6

Independence

Should Mr. Poison succeed in capturing the Stratford seat -—and his chances of doing so are said to be particularly good—he will find himself not the only Independent in the new House of Representatives. Mr. Seddon arid Mr. Massey both possessed an exceptional talent for Holding their respective parties together, Mr. Seddon in this respect was even a . greater diplomat than was his,Reform successor. Sir Joseph Ward, on the other hand, allowed Mr. Seddon’s majority to slip from his hands just as' rapidly as such an advantage could disappear. This meant rio personal or political reflection upon Sir Joseph. It was just the absence of the magnetism which makes some men succeed where others fail. It remains to be seen whether or not Mr. Coates has been more fortunate than Sir Joseph Ward in this respect. Opinions on the point are divided. It looks fairly certain, however, that the present unwieldy Reform battalion willLbe materially reduced at the approaching general'election. In turn, this is no personal or political reflection upon Mr v Coates. There are few men in politics to-day more popular than is' the present Prime Minister and none more sincerely anxious to serve the country. But there is the element of magnetism to be considered and this at present is not prominent in the Reform Leader’s equipment.