DOMINION POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18023, 19 May 1930, Page 7

DOMINION POLITICS.

LABOUR MEMBERS’ VIEWS. i MUST BE NO DRIFTING. COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY. t WELLINGTON, Monday. “The attitude of the Labour Party will depend on the measures that the Government introduces,” said Mr R. Semple, Labour M.P. for Wellington East. “If the ' Government brings down legislation which the people are crying out for and endeavours to tackle the many serious problems ahead, it can depend upon a strong measure of support from the Labour Party, but there must be no helpless drifting. The Labour Party will put country before party when it comes to tackling the urgent problems. We are not concerned about who does the job as long as it is done. “ My impression is that the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward is not going to make any real difference to the political situation,” said Mr G. H. Chapman, Labour M.P. for Wellington North. “ la my opinion the present Parliament wilL last its normal time, but I think that the next general election will probably see an entire re-arrangement of the political forces.” “ Whatever happens In the near future, Mr Coates and his party must not be . allowed to return to the Treasury benches,” said Mr J. McCombs, Labour member for Lyttelton.

THE UNITED PARTY. MESSAGE TO THE PREMIER. WELLINGTON, Saturday. ' The following telegTam has been sent by members of the Dominion executive of the United Political Party to Sir Joseph Ward:—“Members of the executive of the party deeply regret that your impaired health has .necessitated your resignation as Prime Minister and fully appreciate the publicspirited motive which has actuated you in your deoision. We tender our best wishes for your continued improvement in health.”

! Sir Joseph Ward replied: “ I sincerely thank members of the executive for your kind messages. I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my warm appreciation .of the ’help and support which all of you have so loyally accorded me. Kindest regards.”

UNITED AND REFORM. FUSION NOT LIKELY. GISBORNE, Saturday. ** In my opinion a fusion of the Reform and United Parties is unlikely,” remarked Mr G. C. Munns, United member for Roskill, who is paying a brief visit to Gisborne. “ A more likely result is a general election in the near future, which is quite within the hounds of possibility.” Mr W. D. Lysnar, M.P. for Gisborne, expressed the opinion that Sir J oseph Ward’s resignation. would give the party a better prospect of working successfully in the face of the difficulties that confronted the Dominion and the Government of the day. Some of Sir Joseph Ward’s ideas, he remarked, were out of date and not applicable to present-day conditions.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S SUCCESSOR. MR R. MASTERS MENTIONED. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. A new figure in the field of speculation regarding the successor to Sir Joseph Ward as Prime Minister has appeared in the person of Mr Robert Masters, formerly member for Stratford, and chairman of the United Party during the 1928 election campaign. It is' stated in Taranaki that he may wield stronger claims to succeed Sir Joseph than any of . the three men named— Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Hon. E. A. Ransom and the Hon. H. Atmore. The chances of Mr Masters reentering the House through the vacancy that might be created are regarded as bright. While Mr Masters is not a member of this Parliament, that fact is not likely to depreciate his chances, for his services to the party are held in high esteem. Mi- Masters paid a brief visit to Rotorua at the week-end. He arrived on Saturday and left yesterday morning.

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S PLANS. TO REMAIN IN HOUSE. BUT NOT SEEKING PORTFOLIO. f (By Teletrraph.—Press Association.) ■ CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. In a brief interview Hon. G. W. Forbes said that Important decisions affecting the United Party would be made at a meeting on Wednesday to which all members of the party had been invited. Sir Joseph Ward had retired from office for purely health reasons, but he would remain in the House as the member for Invercargill. Sir Joseph did not desire any Cabinet position with the new Government, his retirement from Ministerial office being final and absolute.

SIR J. Q. WARD’S RETIREMENT. MR MACDONALD’S REGRETS. MISSED AT IMPERIAL CONFERENCE (Official Wireless.) (Received May 19, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 18In a telegram to Sir J. G. Ward, Mr Ramsay . MacDonald expresses his sympathy, and regrets “that this means that we shall be deprived of the benefit of your counsel and experience at the Imperial Conference. I earnestly hope that this relief from the cares and burdens of office may soon lead to an improvement in your health.”

PORTFOLIO OF FINANCE. HON. J. G. COBBE SUGGESTED. NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday. Regarding a suggestion that emanated from Auckland that Mr C. A. (Continued in next column.)

Wilkinson, Independent member for Egmont, might be offered the portfolio of Finance in the United Cabinet, Mr Wilkinson said it would' speak poorly for the Government if it was reduced to the necessity of having to go outside the party for a Minister for Finance. He mentioned the Hon. J.' G. Cobbe as a likely Minister, he having had wide commercial experience.