MR COULL IMPRESSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19434, 21 October 1925, Page 6

MR COULL IMPRESSES

It is no wonder that people are writing letters to us complimenting Mr. John Coull on his speeches in the election campaign and warmly commending trim for his ability, straightforwardness, and sincerity. The Reform candidate for the Wanganui seat has certainly begun his campaign impressively. He has shown that he has a grip of the questions of the day, as every man in public life should have; that he understands the needs of the Dominion as well as those of the electorate with which he is closely concerned, and that he has ideas of his own. A staunch Reformer, who would fight the Labour Party’s destructive policy to the last ditch, Mr. Coull will be anything but a cypher when he takes his seat in, Parliament. He is the type of man to take part in framing the policy of his party and persuading his colleagues of the wisdom of his opinions. Mr. Coull’s straightforwardness and readiness to stand for his convictions were strikingly exemplified when he told a Gonville questioner the other night that he would vote for the Bible in schools. Asked if this would not mean a vote of no-confidence in Mr. Coates, he smilingly replied that the Prime Minister would have so many followers in the new Parliament that he would be able to spare one on such an occasion.

Of course a no-confidence motion on the Bible in schools question would be impossible, for it is never a party question. If it were Mr. Veitch, to take an example, w’ould have to vote with Mr. Coates against the Bible in schools. Members would be free to vote according to their consciences, as Mr. Coull would do. In the crucial division on Mr. Isitt’s Bill last session the opponents included the Prime Minister and a number of his supporters, though the majority of them voted for the measure.