NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19022, 20 May 1925, Page 12

NEXT PRIME MINISTER.

MR. COATES THE FAVOURITE. OPINION IN REFORM PARTY. NO RIVAL ANTICIPATED. THE SCHEME FOR FUSION.

,As the day of choice approaches —it is now only a week off —the probability that the Hon" J. G. Coates will be made Prime Minister becomes steadily greater. Information from the, inner circles of t heRe form Party is that he is likely to be the only nominee when the Reform caucus meets this day week, Only three members of the party were alwont from Mr. Mnssoy's funeral; two, that is, in addition to the Hon. \\. Downie Stewart, who is out of the Dominion. The opportunity was taken to .sound the members present and the result %\as an overwhelming preference for Mr. Coates. There is tho best authority for saying that neither Mr. Downie Stewart nor tho Hon. A. D. McLeod had any sup|H>rters who were prepared to take action on their behalf. One most remarkable thing was that the Otago and Canterbury mem- / bers, who might have been expected to support Mr. Downie Stewart, did not do

There is a well-founded report that Cabinet has already decided to recommend Mr. Coates to the"caucus. In this event, no other candidate is likely to bo put forward. Mr. Coates appears to have the prefereticc because/ the p«irty rank aim file admires his personal qualities. He lias gained favour with individual members for the reason that whenever they have made requests Jo him on behalf of their /districts, he has always been able to giyo a prompt and decisive answer, couched in blunt language, perhaps, but clear and businesslike. They have appreciated this quality in him, even when he has said "No."

Mr. Stewart as First Lieutenant. It is admitted that Mr. Coates lacks experience us u» Parliunientury onitor <uhl as a tactician, but his own party believes that he has the will and tho ability to learn both arti. lit the mcatime, his colleagues will give him the fullest possible support. So far, it is not known whether Mr. Downie Stewart has made any announcement by cable about his willingness or unwillingness to act if appointed. The probability is that a message from him will be laid before the caucus. He is regarded quite definitely as the coming Minister for Finance, but the members do not look to him as Prime Minister, because he is not thought physically able to carry the burden of that office. Apart from this, he is not held to be sufficiently a man of action. Of late he has lacked the decisiveness for .winch Mr. Coates is remarkable, though it. is fair to say that a Minister for Customs cannot deal with individual requests quite so promptly as the holders of somo. other portfolios. Mr. Downie Stewart's gifts are admired, but they are held to fit him for the post of lieutenant to Mr. Coates.

Mr. McLeod, who was suggested at one time as a leader under whom Mr. Coates and Mr. Downie Stewart might hold their present portfolios,' is stated to have no supporters at all in the party ranks. The Question of Fusion.

The proposed fusion with the Liberal ' Party will, no daubt. be discussed at the caucus. The Liberals are stated to be secretly in favour of it, and the Reform Party correspondingly disinclined to adopt tho plan, except possibly after the next election. Some of the members think there should be no difficulty in carrying on with the present majority, and that the risk is worth taking, since the Liberals would be entitled to three portfolios in the fusion Cabinet. j Some Reform members believe that Labour is likely to become the official Opposition in the next Parliament, and that if that happens the Liberals will agree to a fusion almost unconditionally. The caucus will have to approve the appointment of two new Ministers. Mr. Massey's death has left one vacancy, and Sir Heaton Rhodes, who has wanted to retire for some time on the ground of 'ill-health, will probably take the opportunity of doing-so. If ho does, thero will jbe two places to fill.

'PARTY "WARFARE CONDEMNED AIR. ROLLESTON'S ATTITUDE. [BY TEI.EGr.APM. —PI!ESS .ASSOCIATION - .] TIMARU. Tuesday. Interviewed on the political situation, Mr. F. J. Rolleston, M.P., Timaru, said the work to bo done by the peoples' representatives in Parliament was too serious and important to justify a continuance of old petty squabbles and party warfare. Unfortunately, iii our present system of politics, party and personal in terests were in danger of running counter to the best interests of the country. In Parliament, as at present constituted, he could see 110 hope of any coalition between the parties. The only thing that would clear the air would be another election, at which it was to be hoped the electors would have the chance of saying whether they preferred the interests of the country to be put before those of any party. , As to the next session, it was impossible, said Mr. Rolleston, to make any forecast. The ordinary uncoritentious business of Parliament could be made to last for three months, and it was possible that members would prefer to let the session run on under the guidance of tlia new Prime Minister until at least the winter was over. No one, least of all those representing large and scattered constituencies, would wish for an election in the depth of winter.