CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR MR COATES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 14

CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR MR COATES.

PROCEEDINGS AT REFORM CAUCUS WERE AMICABLE. (Special to the “Star.") WELLINGTON, April 17. The caucus of Government members which opened in Parliament Building at 10.30 to-day, lasted, with a meal hour interval, till six o’clock. The proceedings, though protracted, were perfectly amicable, despite last session’s party difficulties. The Prime Minister announced at the close of the meeting that the full number of the party as returned at last election had been accounted for. There were forty-three members in attendance, while Mr Uru (Maori member), Mr Tapley (Dunedin) and the Hon G. J. Anderson, the last two absent abroad, were thus accounted for, and apologies for absence were received from Messrs Girling, Bell, Glenn, Burnett, Campbell and Harris. When an interviewer queried the name of the member for Waitcmata (Mr Harris), the Prime Minister replied, “ Oh, yes, he wrote.” Mr Coates added that the business discussed was of that nature necessitated by the coming session and general election, the usual things discussed in party circles under such circumstances, including the general organisation of the party. “ Was the Licensing Bill discussed?” the interviewer ventured to ask. “ Licensing was discussed, with a good many other things,” replied the Prime Minister, and he added, “ I suppose while you are discussing rumours you would mention the Arbitration Act in the same breath.” Before the caucus dispersed the following resolution was adopted.;—“ That this meeting of Reform members of the House of Representatives expresses its appreciation for this meeting of the party, and also its satisfaction with the business which has been placed before it; further, that the Parliamentary members of the party desire ag-ain to place on record their entire confidence in the Prime Minister as leader of the party.” The Prime' Minister would not tell the date of the election or the opening of Parliament.