IS A COALITION POSSIBLE?

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15629, 2 June 1915, Page 2

IS A COALITION POSSIBLE?

The ex-Mayor of Auckland, Mr C. J. Parr, C.M.G-, M.P., who was entertained at a Reform Club luncheon in his own city last week, is reported to have said that the Government should make every possible effort to win the Bay of Islands and Taumarunui seats, as that would give them a majority of four seats in the House, and thus make their position safe, says the “ Newsletter.” Failing that, Mr Parr suggested that Mr Massey should formulate proposals for a Coalition Government. Mr Arthur Myers, another ex-Mayor of the Northern city, and one of the city members, interviewed on the subject the same day, is said to have also expressed very decided views in favour of the suggested coalition. Reading between the lines, however, it. would not appear that the idea of such a coalition is favoured in the Opposition camp. Mr Parr’s suggestion was treated with scorn and commented upon in contemptuous fashion by the Wardite Journal in Welling ton, and Sir Joseph Ward, who is actively at'work in the Bay of Islands electorate, endeavouring to wrest the seat from the Government at the approaching by-election, shows no sign of desiring such a coalition as that proposed by the two Auckland members. The Wellington “ Post,” however, has taken the suggestion up, and is urging Mr Massey to make overtures to Sir Joseph while the elections are still undecided ; but, in view of the former's treatment by the Opposition press and by Sir Joseph himself, that is clearly impossible. It may be doubted, indeed, whether any Cabinet could possibly contain the two leaders for any length of time. Their inodes of thought and methods of work are so dissimilar that they would hardly pull together and most certainly the leading members of the present Government could not work at all happily with the colleagues Sir Joseph would be compelled to select, if he desired to make his marble good.