CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1925, Page 1

CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION.

AUCKLAND PAPER'S CO.M.M ENTS. AUCKLAND. May 11.‘•Tho const itutionul position created hy the death of the Prime Minister is, in the immediate steps required. a simple one. Ihe proper and usual course would he lot* the Aliuisters to resign, and for the Oovcrnor(o neral to send for the Ael ing-Primo Minister i Sir Francis Pell), who would he asked to form a .Ministry. What Sir .Francis Roll may do in the circumstances. cannot, ol course. he stated with certainty.” says the "Herald." "ft may he assumed, how-

ever. that he will carry on temporarily as Prime Minister with the present Ministry, merely reallnUitig the portfolios made vacant hy the duath of Mr Massey.

"That was practically the course lollow'ed hy the then Acting-Prime Minister (Mr I lull-.).me) on i lie death of Air Seth lon in lPi Hi. Air Soddon’s natural successor was Kir Jospch Ward. l,ut he was absent from the country and Mr Hall-lone- accepted the Prime Ministership iiniil Sir Joseph's return v. hen he resinned. While Sir Erancis Pell ha- Ik ell Mr .Massey's second in command lor some years, and has been acting Prime Alini-ter on several occasions, the tael that ho is ill the I .ngi-lal ivc Council practically precludes his boldine; the Prime .Ministership. except temporarily. It may he accepted, however, that he will continue as Prime .Minister until tuc leadership of Hie Ministerial Party is finally determined. ■"The nomination of the next Prime Minister actually rests with the members of the Reform Party, and any

arrangement for carrying on the Goverument of the country will ho only temporary until they have chosen a leader lor the. party. Since it has been known for necks that Air .Massey's illne.-s could have only a latal lerniinaiion. consideration has naturally been given hy many people to the question of the successor to his ollice. Two names only have boon mentioned. the Hon W. Downie Stewart, and the lion .1. H. Coates. Mr Massey's deputy in the House of Representatives is Air Downie Stewart, who is at present in New A ork on a health-re-cruiting trip, just as .Mr Seddon's deputy, Sir Joseph "Ward, was absent ill London when Air Seddon died in 1000.

"Although several .Ministers are his senior in the Cabinet. Air Downie Slewart has acted frequently, and especially in the lasi session ol Parliament, as the Leader oi the House, and has proved his capacity |or greater responsibilities by ihe pnssc-smii ol exceptional intellectual power-. und_ of wide kuuv. Ittlvv "i mt-n am! altaii's. Rut apart altogether from other eonsiderat ions. I he state ol hi' health i~ a great bar to Mr Stewart succeeding to the Prime A 1 inistership. “Air Coates, who is universally regarded as well fitted for Ihe leadership of the < loverinm-tii , joined the Ministry on September It H. RHP. as Pe.-l ma,sfer-(K-ueral. became M mister ol Pm Id ie Works on April 2rd. lii'Jlf. and Minister of Railways on June tit li. 192 J. He may lack pari of ihe eqnipineiit necessary lor distinguished success as a parliamentary lender, hut in the hist few years he has established a national reputation as an adminis-

tra tor with vision, resoureci nine--, and strength of character. IDs success, m.t only in reorganising ike methods of Public Works const ruelion. Inti actually in transforming the p. pillar view of that Department’s I n net am ain I pnl icy. e 'll -l it m 11 ' markable, .-vu unique, m hievcnietu in New Zealand polities. M' I• • re-

... ~t |v In- ha- undertaken. *• v similar I| _ |).,. r- I ■ r:11 ii'ii ol the l ailuay- to |>■ 11.1 i • sen ice ami financial prosperity. There is no doubt that \| r (‘oales has wm ail ex I ram 1 1 i miry measure of public conlideiiee hy the loa ni lest -ii.ee,iiy Of Ids delermioaijon lo 111 .-mi • national interests brlmc • ill dilic,- considerations. and by the frankness and lirmoes- ol his at til mlo on public questions. Probably never |,-lore has a Minister lo charge ol three great d.-parl menls been so lightly ermri-e.L His thuds have disarmed frit iei'iu. for • !>ey have been to del I’l'lii ino an objective plan, am the means of reaching it. and then to proceed to it hy the most direct and 010-1 economical application ol his i' 1 -

"Mr (‘nates has dune many things that- must have been displeasing or disappointing to many people. Lilt even they have had to agree with him thal. his decisions and actions have 1 leen sound and businesslike. By siieli a practical demonstration ol his quality Mr Coates has liecomo recognised throughout the country as a power! til personality, eminently qualified Lathe leadership of a Ministry pledged to give the country economical sit'd efficient government. Ho will not seek the ollice of Prime .Minister, hut it is to Lo expected that the Party will select him for it. and persuade him to accept ii-”

By Air Massey's death the Franklin -eat becomes vacant, and a by-elec-tion will he necessary. Mr Masset had represented Franklin in Parliament, continuously since IS!K>. OUKSTION OK FUSION.

•‘Talk of amalgamation between the Reform Party and the Liberal-Labour Party has been increasing lately, ami one of the topics likely to he discussed at the first meeting of Reformer' is. ‘To lie or not to ho,' ” says tonight's “Star.” “There is a general feeling that, the matter should be settled before the various portfolios are allocated. Should the Reform Party favour amalgamation, the l.ibertil Party will he approached within a few days. On i' s decision may turn ihe question of whether the general election wilt tie held lietoro the opening day of Parliament. .lime 2.3th.”'