THE NEW MINISTER

Southland Times, Issue 19280, 26 June 1924, Page 4

THE NEW MINISTER

Although some of the politicians may enjoy the intriguing game of re-arranging the political board, the general public is by . no means excited about the forecasts concerning new parties and new leaders. This may be reprehensible, but it is no less true of the electors who are sufficiently sophisticated to wait patiently for the events to come on to the stage, and so the appointment of the new Minister of Lands will have political significance only in the ranks of the active politicians. Mr McLeod is a man of some strength, and he is undoubtedly a powerful influence in the party. During his political career he has shown a commendable grasp of affairs, and he will assuredly add to the strength of the Ministry in which the Hon. D. H. Guthrie retains a seat as Minister without portfolio. Mr McLeod, of course, will have the assistance of the ex-Minister of Lands in this coming session, and he should give a good account of himself. The session, which opens today on the heels of this new appointment, contains all the elements for surprises. It is no secret that many of the members, white lacking the courage to prophesy, will enter this House with an expectant air. The Prime Minister, who has carried the country safely over stormy seas and who deserves the gratitude of the people of New Zealand, is the big power in the House; but it is an open secret that the time is approaching when he will claim the rest his magnificent service to the Dominion esxtHlee ; him to expect, and this opens the way for a new leader. This, of conne, te the ex-

planetion of some of the kibe-flying, and the naming of various men as the aavioura of the country. Two movements seem to be afoot. One will aim at the amalgamation of the Reformers and Liberate under the leadership of a prominent Minister; and the other seems to be designed to split the Reform Party, and to take a wing of it into an amalgamation with the Liberate, with the hope of' catching some of the Labour elements. There has been very definite activity in the North Island, and the name of the Minister of Railways has been mentioned as the prospective leader, but Mr Coates, it is obvious, cannot give his sanction to any movement of the kind until hie chief steps down. In the South there has been some talk directed at the formation of a new party to which some extremely radical proposals have been attached, and the suggestion has been put forward that a new political Messiah is to. appear in a few weeks. The fact that these proposals emanate from Liberal quarters, where some somersaulting has been in progress, has disturbed Mr Wilford, and caused Mr Holland to chuckle, but it has left Mr Massey unperturbed, because he knows, as an experienced general, that this new party will be judged on not what the journalistic Press agents say of it, but by the programme it puts forward as its title to public favour. This talk of new parties, inside or outside of the House, is part of the pro-sessional kite-flying; but it is fairly safe to say that nothing of a decisive nature will be done unless a dissolution seems probable. If the Government sees that it can carry through this session, definite action will be delayed until next year when doubtless there will be many notable retirements making way for a reorganisation which wifi reduce the contestants to two and provide means for a solid opposition to Labour. It must not be forgotten that such a union was attempted after last election, but the Liberal Party viewed the offer with disfavour, but next year will undoubtedly see a re-arrangement and the public in the meantime should pray that the new leader, whoever he may be, will be spared the burden of rail-sitters and party men whose loyalty is ever a matter for conjecture.