THE POLITICAL ASPECT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1930, Page 11

THE POLITICAL ASPECT

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER NO WORD AS TO CHOICE. MEMBERS EXPECT TO CARRY ON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. “I prefer not to discuss the political aspect of the matter at all,” said the Leader of the Opposition (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) when asked to-night had he any observations to make ,on the situation that had arisen as a result of the Prime Minister’s resignation. “On personal grounds I am very sorry to learn that Sir Joseph Ward’s health has not made the improvement that had been hoped for.” “Do. you think it necessary to; , call Parliament together.?” was. a., further .question asked of Mr. Coates. “That is a matter for the new Prime Minister,” he- replied. ■ “Personally,. I think it would be only cricket to give a new team a chance and allow them to settle in their new position and .find their feet before asking them to face the House.”

Mr. Coates, who arrived in Wellington this morning, returned to Auckland by the Limited to-night. ’ ’“I don’t think the resignation is going to bring us any nearer to an election,” said a prominent Parliamentary member of the Labour Party. “It does not alter the-political situation as much as some may think. Sir Joseph Ward has' been off the stage for more than a year, and the balance is not likely to be disturbed. I think this Parliament is likely to continue until the end of next year.” “Personally I can’t see that it is go-, ing to alter things very much,” * said a Reform M.P.,' who was in to'wn today. “Labour does-.not Aj’ant an- elec-tion,-and so long -as They vote with the Uniteds’they will: be able to bang on to their jobs. “You see with 'Sir Joseph- Ward out of the picture half of'the sound Uniteds are Ministers, and they will not want to quit.” MINISTERS LEAVE ROTORUA. - Rotorua, Last Night. In view of the statement made by ■Sir Joseph Ward of his intention to resign the Prime Ministership speculation is rife as to his successor. Until his resignation is received by the Gov-ernor-General nothing can be chronicled. After the receipt of the resignation the-Governor-General will have the matter in hie hands and the person chosen to form- a Ministry will call his party together and a decision will be made. Until the resignation is received nothing definite can be stated as to who the successor will be. Ministers left Rotorua by the afternoon train to-day.