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Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1925, Page 2

Of the three parties political in New Zealand undoubtedly the best organised at this junetuie is that of Labor. This party has kept the political camp fires burning since the beginning of the year, and the leader completed a not aide tour through the Dominion. Reform has been oiling up its election machinery quietly, hut I he efforts of the Liberals have been small, and what little was in hand, was suspended when it was clear Air Massey was on a. bed of -crimis illness. 11l point of organisation there. the honors are with the Labor party, lint if there is to he a fusion the new party using existing branch organisations could soon (inti ways and means to enter the list with well organised battalions. As the matter stands, however, the fart that the organisation is lor the present, short of the needs for emergency occasion, the occasion will Ik> postponed to a more convenient season. Just at the moment the first move rests with Reform, that is if forces behind the scenes have been working as is believed generally. The first overtures must come from that quartei. and there seems to he a good deal in the i belief that they will. As to a pro I tern Prime Minister. Mr Coates appears tin' most likely. He is occupying the chief ministerial positions outside of those held by the late Prime Minister, and as .Minister of Railways. that position is considered in itself to rank next to the Prime Minister in order of procedure. With Mr Stewart out of the country. Mr Coates if acceptable to the party itself, should have the first refusal of the leader>hin. On the other hand, if it is desired to place Mr Stewart at the head of the (Government to meet Parliament next mouth, a lesser member of the former Cabinet might held the Prime Ministership in the interval, and on Air Stewart's return, a new Ministry he set up. While Reform holds office flier? is not likely to be much change in the personnel of Ministers, but

tliorc will be no doubt, after next general election. It is understood Sir Heaton Rhodes and Sir .lames Parr will not seek re-election, and it was understood Sir Francis Bell was not anxious tor oihee. These three probable utoimiof in themselves, ttould make the open in*; lor a fusion easier, and give color to the general belief that the political changes of the immediate future are more likely to be evolutionary than revolutionary.