THE PRIME MINISTERSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19492, 29 May 1925, Page 7

THE PRIME MINISTERSHIP.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES. HUNDREDS OF TELEGRAMS. A SOLDIER WELL-WISHER. “YOU’LL DO ME, DIGGER!” (From Ou.r Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 28. To-day Mr Coates has been in receipt of hundreds of telegrams of congratulation as well as numerous personal congratulations. tho telegrams received arc the following :—■ From Air Wilford. —“I sincerely congrniulaio you on receiving from your party tho highest .possible gift in our political life. For the first time in the history of the dominion two New Zealanders born bold tho positions of Prime Minister and Loader of -the Opposition. Under such circumstances I am sum that in Imperial matters wo can work hand-in-hand.” Sir William HalbJones (Rotorua).— “Heartiest congratulations and all good wishes from till hero. Kia Ora.” Tho Hon. W. W. Snodgrass.—“ Hearty congra tillations to New Zealand and yourself on the choice of Prime Minister. Hope you will long/ bo spared to use your ability in filling the high office and prove a worthy successor to tho great man you succeed. Kia Ora.” Major-General Melvill.—“My warmest congratulations. Long may you reign. ’ Tho Hon. Mark Cohen.—“ Tread wanly but firmly. May your reign he long and prosperous. Kia Ora.” Tho Hon. Sir Walter Carncross (Speaker of tho Legislative Council).—“The expected has happened. Congratulations. I nope and believe that you will carry tho great responsibilities with honour and credit to yourself and to the advantage of tho dominion.” Tho Hon. E. Mitchclson. —“Tho poor and will Uriels north has -ut last produced _ a young, vigorous, healthy, and initiative Prime’ Minister, a position most worthily earned. May you live long and continue to load tho destinies of God s Uwu Country.” , ~ The Hon. A. T. Ngata.— “Congratulations on your accession to tho highest political office in the country.” Mr Adam Hamilton (ox-member lor Wallace).— “Hearty congratulations. Mav the powers make your paths easy anti enable you to oarrv the burdens. Mr PI A. Do la Pcrrolle, M.P. (Awarua). —'•Heartiest congratulations on you unanimous election as Prime Minister.” Mr R. Masters, M.P. (Stratford).- I congratulate you on the honour done you by your, party.” , . . IVL E. A. Ransom. M.P. (Pabmtna,.— “Heartiest congratulations* upon your appointment. Hurrah for young New Zealand, from a New Zealander.” Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P. (Qatea). “Accept my heartiest congratulations on your appointment as leader.” Mr J. A. Maepherson, M.P. (Onmaru).— “I wish you every good fortune in your important office. Act with courage on broad progressive lines and you will live in national esteem and gratitude. A message was received from the French Consul in the following terms:—“l am happy to congratulate tho rocontly-choson leader of this new victory, coining whilo La Bassoville and Mailly M. Maillet are still fresh in our minds.” A further reference to Mr Coates s service was contained in the telegram of a comrade of tho Expeditionary Force, who wired: —“Manage tho country as you did your company and you’ll do me, digger. Heartiest congratulations.” Congratulations were also received from various leagues and associations. A PREDICTION FULFILLED. One of the most pleased men in Wellington (o-dnv is Mr C. J. Carrington, chairman of Mr Coates’s Election Committee over since the Prime Minister-Designate entered the political arena. Mr Carrington is noted in the north for having predicted some years ago that Mr Coates was a political certainly to one day become Prime Minister. To-day he is entitled to pose as a prophet. The Hon. Mr Nosworthy, the other candidate for the leadership at yesterday’s meeting, was nominated by Sir George Hunter. This, it is understood, was done mainly as a compliment to Air Nosworthy as the senior member of the Cabinet and in recognition of the good work he did as Whip of the party in past years, and also to what the country owes him in connection with his administration of the Agricultural Department and the Department of Immigration, Air Nosworthy will heartily co-operate with his new leader. THROUGH THE WINDOW. Yesterday’s caucus was held in the Government Whip’s room,, and the doors »of the passages leading to it were locked. In fact, the member for the Bay of Islands, Air Allan Bell, finding that the door by which he tried to enter was locked, got into tho room through a window Another member, Mr Young, Chairman of Committees, also got in through the window, as did also Air It. A. Wright, member for cliington Suburbs. Air Wright arrived over a quarter of an hour late somewhat out of breath after breaking the speed limit per boot up the incline to Parliament House. Ho mistook the time at which the mooting was to be held. MU COATES AT HOME. Air Coates is a family man. Ho is tbi father of live young girls and delights in their company. Yesterday, after his election as leader of the Reform Party, it was the maid’s night out, so after tea the Prime Minister-elect sent his wife with a friend to enjoy a laugh at the theatre while ho stayed at homo to wash up with the elder girls and to mind the baby. The people must gain a real affection for a man like that. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Air Coates, of course, hopes that Sir Francis Bell will continue to act as Attorney-General, at least to the end of the present" Parliament, and there is little doubt that Sir Francis will agree. Sir Francis has not been a great deal in the limelight, and not a great many in the country really know how much the country is indebted to him for his unstinted labours combined with his great ability. It is suggested that as a climax to a great career he should be honoured by being made a Privy Councillor. QUESTION OF FUSION. Talk of fusion continues, but as has been all along pointed out it is unlikely that anything in that direction will be done for some time. A very important aspect of the situation, however, is that there is excellent authority for saying that tho now Prime Minister is strongly in favour of fusion on sound linos. It is not considered that the events of the last few days will in any wav hasten tho session which will be the last one during tho lifetime of the present. Parliament. Most likely the session will commence on Thursday," June 25. The programme of legislation is . sure to bo a short, one, ami the session may not ho lengthy, but whilo it Lists it will be, interesting. Speculation is rife as to who will he Minister of Finance when matters Ministerial settle down. The lion. VT. Downie Stewart is out of the country at present, but it is probable that

SIR FRANCIS BELL RESIGNS. THE HON. MR COATES SENT FOR. SWEARING-IN CEREMONY TO-DAY OR TO-MORROW. Sir Francis Bell tendered his resignation as Prime Minister to the Governor-General yesterday Corning. His Excellency then sent for the Hon. Mr Coates and asked him to form a Ministry. Meanwhile the Ministers are still carrying on. • It is expected that the swearing-in ceremony will take place either to-day or to-morrow. Mr Coates has been the recipient of hundreds of congratulatory telegrams from all parts of New Zealand.

if ho returns shortly he will be asked by Mr Coates to fill the role. The speculation has been made in some quarters that in the event of fusion the Liberals would expect four seats in the Cabinet. This would leave seven seats for Reform, and considering the numerical strength of the parties in the House these proportions work out well enough on a figure basis, but the calculators have overlooked the fact that if fusion does not come till after the election the relative strengths of the parties may be changed and that other considerations may arise to alter the whole complexion of things. THE NAME OF THE' PARTY. It is generally considered that Mr Coates will change the name of the party, and that in a little while the “Reform” will be no more. However, this is one of the many things that cannot be done in a day, and, moreover, one of the things that to be done successfully must have the proper lime chosen for it. QUESTION OF FUSION. NO CHANCE LIKELY AT PRESENT. 1 (From On® Own Correspondent.} WELLINGTON, May 28. It is stated to-day that nearly every one of the 55 members present voted for Mr Coates. It w'as also stated that 16 members of the Liberal Party were anxious for fusion, but there was no actual proof of the statement made in the caucus, and one member expressed the opinion that no Liberal would change his political coat during the term of the present Parliament. Various statements, more or less wild, are being made about fusion but I see no reason to depart ‘ from the prediction _ already made, that there can be no practical attempt at fusion until after the general election. As already stated, there seems to be no reason to think that there will be any immediate change in the personnel of the Cabinet. Mr Coates and his Ministrv will be sworn in at Government House either to-morrow Or on Saturday. Meantime, Sir Francis Bell is acting as Prime Minister. “A MAN FOR A MAN’S JOB.” •g DISREGARD FOR RED TAPE. WELLINGTON PRESS COMMENT. (From Otr® Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 28. Under the heading. “A Man for a Man’s Job,” the New Zealand Times congratulates Mr Coates. “The Prime Minister-to-be,” it says, “took some time to find his feet, but once ho was firmly established his natural administrative qualities began to assert themselves. They nave continued asserting themselves to such purpose that when the Prime Ministership became vacant liis claims to the position were never seriously challenged. It is a remarkable performance for one who still is a comparatively 'young man. Assisted by a masterful presence anu personality, by an enviable war record, by push and initiative, and by a refreshing disregard for red tape, Mr Coates has attained to the chiefest political honour in the land with meteoric swiftness. He has justified to the full his late loader’s glowing opinion of his capabilities, and those virtues which have brought him where he is to-day will stand him in stead when presently he is confronted by those pressing responsibilities ■which are lying in wait for the Government. We do not wish to oe misunderstood. We do not rate Mr Coates either as a prodigy or as a superman. _ What we have meant to convey is that in performance and promise he towers over his contemporaries, Mr Downje Stewart excepted, and even the absent Minister is not so generously endowed with resource and individuality of outlook. Given a fair run and a continuing opportunity Mr Coates will make good. Wo have referred to his individual outlook. To that we’ have to add breadth and deptn. He realises the country’s- need of honest, competent administration in behalf of the _ general wellbeing, and not ■ oryly in the interests of a section. That can most effectively lie secured by unity among the best elements of the anti-Socialistic parties. If as Prime Minister Mr Coates is unable to draw reinforcements to his side we shall be mightly surprised. He has a man’s job ahead of him, but he is a full-sized man.” On the fusion question the Times agrees that “there can be no immediate fusion, which is not a matter of real importance at this stage of the political game. What is of importance, however, is the effect of the decision of the Reform caucus on the Liberals; They are definitely left with one of two alternatives. They must make up their minds either to persist in their misguided policy of pretending to be different in policy essentials from the Government, or bow with what grace they can muster to the logic of the situation. the longer they continue in the middle of the road the worse their predicament when the political procession, the general election, moves on in earnest. There are no sound reasons in favour of a fusion before an appeal is made to tho constituencies. Equally there is no justification whatever for the Liberal expectation that the Government should make overtures to them. The Prime Minister-to-be is as Liberal in his views as the staunchest die-hard of the Opposition, and he can be relied on to welcome recruits to his banner, but that is far from saying that it is ids duty to disrupt or at least upset his party by striving to make room in the Cabinet for hitherto standoffish, self-complacemcnt Liberals.” As the Times has been for many years the leading organ of the Liberal-Labour Party, tho above pronouncement has a special significance. The Dominion refers to Mr Coates’s great administrative abilities, and adds; “He derives another title to popular confidence, however, from his genuinely progressive outlook in matters of general policy. No man is less of a demagogue or is levs inclined to court popularity by promising impossible benefits, but he has made it abundantly clear by deeds rather than words that he is second to none in desiring- to make New' Zealand a pleasanter place to live in.’ On the fusion question the Dominion says: “At its meeting yesterday the Reform Party appears to have decided to open its doors to all who are prepared to cooperate in developing a genuinely progressive policy. The invitation thus offered may bo expected to prove attractive not only to some present members of Parliament- outside the ranks of the Reform Party, but to a very much larger number of candidates at the impending general election. U is likely to be agreed generalK- that no politician of Liberal and progressive tendencies need hesitate to follow Mr Coates.”

A MAN OF ACTION. POSITION NO SINECURE. AUCKLAND PRESS VIEWS. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, May 22. The New Zealand Herald, _ commenting on the Prime Minister designate, Bays: “The position which Mr Coates is called upon to fill is not an easv one. It never is, and now circumstances make it less a sinecure than ever. It has been emphasised repeatedly since his name was connected with the vacancy to be filled that Mr Coates has not understudied the part. He has not spent much time practising these things which the Prime Minister, as leader of the House, is especially called upon to do. Tin's is true, but it should not be over-emphasised nor over-estimated, for Mr Coates entered on his other duties as a Minister of the Crown with as little previous preparation in them. By direct, straightforward methods, by plain speaking and plain dealing, by rapidity of decision and sureness of grasp, by untiring energy and the display of a consistently equable i disjjosition he won his way speedily, establishing the reputation he enjoys within Parliament and without. There is no reason why exactly those qualities and meihods should not stand to him as Prime Minister.” The Star says: “One side of the New Prime Minister’s equipment is plain to see He is a man of action rather than a man of thought. His bent is practical. He is interested in getting concrete things done. The problems of Public Works and Railways appealed to him. Both his common sense and the very weakness of his interest in party politics impelled him to work towards the elimination of the political factor in policy and administration. He had the courage to propose reforms and the determination to push them. Physically vigorous, strong in character, and really interested in practical problems, he has as head of these two departments done a great deal for the dominion, but more than departmental reforming zeal and administrative ability is required in a Prime Minister, and Mr Coates has yet to show that he has these other requisites. As a politician he has to prove himself. Mr Seddon after Mr Ballance’s death, Sir .Joseph Ward when Mr Seddon died, Mr Massey after the Liberal defeat in 1913—these men in their political views and capabilities were much clearer in outline than is Mr Coates. General politics have not interested him. Ho has never been a strong party man. Like Mr Massey, he is not reflective, but unlike Mr Massey he has not shown any marked aptitude for party management or parliamentary leadership. He has not shone in the House, and it is doubtful if he has a parliamentary mind. Largely, therefore Mr Coates is an unknown quantity. He has courage, however, and a man with that may do much. With a party deprived of its dominating personality, and still depending on a small majority in the House, and with the general election on the- horizon, his position will be difficult The first test of his courage and his political judgment may be the construction, of his Ministry. There are bound to be aspirants for office who are unfitted for it Ability, not seniority, should count. We hope Mr Coates himself will not give up both the Railways and Public Works Departments. The tendency has been, and we have objected to it, for the Prime Minister to overload himself with departmental work, Mr Coates, however, has so much in hand in these two departments that it is to the national interest that he should continue to administer at least one of them. We hope, too,_ that / he will see that the Minister or Ministers " who succeed him will carry on the work on his lines. The country cannot afford a set-back.” CONGRATULATIONS FROM DUNEDIN. At the meeting of the directors of _ the New Zealand and -South Seas Exhibition Company last night it was agreed to send a message heartily congratulating the Hon. J. C 4. Coates on his selection as loader of the Reform Party. POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE. • AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING PARTY’S PROSPECTS BRIGHT. (From On® Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 28. What has been described as the most enthusiastic meeting the organisation has yet held took place last night, when the • New Zealand Political Reform League met in conference at Parliament House. Delegates were present from as far south_ as Invercargill and as far north as Dargaville. There was no representative from Auckland. but it was explained that the Aucklanders were very busy over the Franklin by-election. One hundred and ten delegates signed their names at the conference, and the ratal number of delegates and wellwishers present was 150. The Hon. A. D. M'Leod (chairman of the league) presided. He welcomed the delegates, and said it was very gratifying to see such a large and representative gathering from all parts of New Zealand. He introduced the Hon. J. G. Coates, who was received with applause and the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Mr Coates said a few words of thanks for the welcome given him. A resolution was then passed pledging the meeting to support Mr Coates as leader of the Reform Party. The resolution was carried unanimously. Various delegates addressed the meeting, and said that they were confident the tjosition of the party was never better in all its history, The delegates who spoke represented 25 electorates, including Gisborne. A resolution was passed congratulating Mr James (secretary of the league) on the splendid work he had dcn e in connection with -.he party. The question of fusion was not discussed as a specific issue. A resolution respecting the death of Mr Massey was also passed.