FOR COATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19445, 3 November 1925, Page 11

FOR COATES

WHOLE COAST TO BE CAPTURED “A CHAIN OF REFORMERS” THINKING ELECTORS’ ONLY CHOICE A commercial traveller, whose business takes him all over New Zealand, is firmly of the opinion now that the night of November 4 will sec elected a chain of Reform candidates all along this coast. He thought, before Mr Coates’ visit, that the Government would do well, being the only party with a real leader, but since the Prime Minister went through the district the feeling in favour of Pieform had increased tremendously. The traveller said ' he heard Mr Ci.Ltes at Feilding, his t inth spee. b ?.f I the day, and his threat was much *.t-I jfected, but he created a wonderful imi pression. Up to then Mr Eliott and i Mr Cobbe had been running neck and ■ neck, but the following morning the ■ Reform man had a substantial lead, which would carry him through. One Party Must Go The traveller says the country is really “fed up” of the three-party system. The people hope that this election will see at least one party wiped out. As there is practically no difference between the Reformers and the ' Nationalists, and as the Reformers have undoubtedly the best chance of being the strongest party in the new Parliament, the people are going to vote for the winning side in the hope of wiping out the up-start Nationalists, who, having deserted their historic flag of Liberalism, have no right to be in the field at all. The Nationalists can at best get back numerically weak, and the electors realise it will be tragic if a small party of men hold the balance of power. They would not mind so much if the Nationalists would then throw in their lot with the Reform Party, so as to make a strong Government in opposition to Labour, which will be stronger in the next Parliament, but when say they will not ’ support Mr Coates —and the great ina- | jority of the people want Mr Coates—--1 it leaves the thinking electors with no 1 choice but to vote out the Nationalist | candidate, no matter how popular he i may be. j The electors are this election looking i at politics more from a New Zealand i {joint of view than from a parochial ' one. All eyes arc looking at the ques- ■ lion of leadership. They can see only 1 one man for the position and that is ■ Mr Gordon Coates. Sir Joseph Ward, I at 69 years of age, docs not enter into ( I the picture at all. His political day lias passed. He is putting up a brave light in Invercargill, but lie is doomed

to disappointment for the third time in succession. His opponent is Colonel Hargcst, in the prime of life, an able and popular man, who will “romp home.” It will thus be seen that the Nationalists, if they want to change their coats again to Liberalism, cannot rely on having Sir Joseph Ward as leader. Who else have they got? Not one of thorn has had Cabinet rank, so every one is unthinkable for the Prime Ministership. A bright Cabinet they would make!

The traveller said there was little doubt about Messrs Nash and Linklater winning, also Mr Eliott. Mr Glenn would have a thousand, perhaps two thousand, of a majority. Mr Coull would get in by a few hundred for Wanganui, with Labour second. There was no doubt as to who would win Patea; it was just an interesting gamble as to whether Mr Glenn or Mr Dickie would have the larger majority. Mr Hawkcn’s Reform banner could not be lowered in Egmont, but it was quite likely that Stratford would soon see the last of the Nationalist flag. Mr Smith was also fighting for his life in New Plymouth and would be extremely lucky to get through.