POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1925, Page 1

POLITICAL.

AUCKLAND, May 19. Questioned regarding the political position. Mr Allan Bell, ALP. (Bay of Islands) said that at the- present time the whole thing was in the lap of the gods, hut lie felt sure that people from tLe North Cape to the Bind were heartily sick of the useless three party system. In his (opinion there were only two courses open, (a) construction of a new National Party, comjiosed of the best elements of the Reform and Liberal Parties; (hi formation of a National Party hy the new Prime .Minister when he was selected on .May ‘-’7. A party with a new and up-to-date policy that would appeal to the advanced political thought of the day, a policy that would provide for putting into operation tlie splendid land .settlement legislation at present on our .Statute Book, especially the homestead system and sub-division of large holdings, a more advanced policy lor public works and farmers’ finance and reorganisation of the public service on the lines of greater economy and efficiency, provision Iteiitg made to allow the best men to reach the top irrespective of age or years of service. fn Air Boll’s opinion one of the greatest wants of thy Dominion to-day was suit-->le people to occupy the land, and with this end in view he strongly advocated increased assistance being given to the British small farmer and farm labourer to migrate to these shores. Questioned as to who the new Prime Minister would be, Mr Bell said that he has no idea, but he could say that a lot of criticism that was hein levelled against the Hon. J. G. Coates as to his want of stability was cntirolv wrong. Air Coates was an energetic and ti fearless man, one who was not bound hand and foot by old and useless political traditions, and he felt sure that if he were selected he would fill the position with honour to the Dominion and himself.

Concluding, Air Bell said that ]>onple hail to realise that the great political fight in tlie future would lie between the forces of Communism and those of sanity. The sinuier they realised this and returned to the two-party system the better for the Dominion and tlie Empire.

MR SKDDOX SUPPORTS FUSION. "A, a Liberal candidate for the AVesfc land seat at the forthcoming general election. 1 would welcome an arrangement between the Reform and Liberal parties, so that we can carry on for the benefit of the country, and champion a platform which would itmuporate the principles which the Liberal Party lias always stood for.” So said Air T. E. V. Seddon. oxAlember for Westland, when interviewed yesterday by a Grey “Star” representative on his return from Wellington. “Tlie caucus of the Reform Party to he belli next week, is fraught with tin greatest interest to the whole of the. Dominion,” added Mr S’eddon. 1 1 he outcome of tlie deliberations ol the cam us w ill. 1 sincerely hope, he the establishment of a National Party, whose platform will not. only include the Liberal Party’s principles, hut will combat the revolutionary tendencies of the official Labour Party in New Zealand.’’ Alter describing Hie funeral ol the late 111. lion. W. F. Alassey as an ex(l'Aortlinarv maiiiioslntion ol regard 1< r the deceased statesman. Air Sodden said that the place where Air Alas-gy was laid to rest is a most fitting site for a memorial, commanding a view ol Hie harbour; from it. also, can he plainly scon the memorial erected to the late Rt. Bon. B. .7. Seddoii. in the Sydney Street cemetery at A\ellington. During Ins stay in the Capital City, Ale Sodden met most of the present Ministers and .Members of Parliament. “With regard to the political sit,nation.” he remarked, “the position at the present time is a little obscure, until a definite pronouncement lias luvu made by the Reform Party a.s to who shall lead them. Tim absence of Mi- Downie Stewart will not prevent a decision being arrived at. because be j, in eoiiimuuieation with his colleagues. and his wishes regarding the leadership will he .given every consideration. The eboiie seems to lie between Mis-a-s Coates and Stewart. They are quite dissimilar in their temperaments. both eommand the esteem and respect of the party. I have received commune, aliens from America about Mr Stewart's health. The course of the troatim ni lie is undergoing is very severe, taxing his strength and lib courage, lie is most hopeful, hut it will he a miracle if Mr Stewart is absolutely restored to perfect health. No. doubt, he will he greatly benefited, but whether the treatment will be so effective as to make him the man he was before lie left for the Front, is very doubtful. There is a strong bond of friendship between Messrs Coates and Stewart, and any working arrangement made so that the two of them could co-operate, would, I feel sure, he acceptable to hotli. A well-known leader in political thought in the Dominiin slid to me that the people of New Zealand have become so used in the times of Air Seddon. Sir Joseph At aril mid Air Massey to have a Prime Minister who is strong and virile, able ' g,, about tlie whole of the Dominion, meet people personally, receive deputations. and l.eeoine almost personally known to tlie majority of the people , i New Zealand, that it is almost nimh'sisnt"v now for tin* Pi iiiu* TI ini.-Tt*! i ( , !•:' mo pliysimlly litiotl. Mi' Coat” ha- a very pleasing f reset ice and p'-r- ---• ..nudity, and has already become tei; p. u !ar throughout tho Dominion. '•in regard to the question of a fusion of the Liberal and Reform parties, ii is recognised hy everyone that in the present tate ol the parties. e\en assuming that the late Air Masseys scat is won by Reform, there is not a sufficient majority lor the Reform f’art ;■ to carrv on. anil the amalgamation or merging of the parties becomes altnn.-t a necessity. S' l far as I am able to ascertain from Liberal .supporters. and s 0 far as T cm able to discern from supporters of the Reform Patty, the time lias now come when negotiations should he entered into, to see if ail arrangement can be effect-

ed t i bring about a fusion. Tt would seem that the necessity for doing tins, and that the time for doing this, is Hio present. The Liberal organisation has ea-e.l orations .sine the sickness of Mr Massey, but candidates have been arranged in nianv electorates to stand for the Liberal Party. The Reform Partv. too. has nominated its candidates. If an election were to take place before a fusion of the parties a fusion later might If more difficult : bring about-.

Asked whether he thought- that there would he an earlier appeal to the country. Mr Seddon stated that no one as yet' knew definitely. He appeared to •think, however, that the election would take place at the usual time.

AUCKLAND OPINION. AUCKLAND, May 19

As the day of choice approaches fit is now only a week off) the probability that, the, Hull. J. G. Coates will he made- Prime .Minister, becomes steadily greater. The information from the inner circles id the Reform Party i« that he i.s likely to he the only nominee when the Reform Caucus sits on Wednesday week.

Only three members cf the party were absent from Alt' Alas.sey's itinera] two. that is, in addition to the Hon. Downie Stewart, who is out ol the Dominion. The opportunity was taken to sound the 'members present, and the result was an overwhelming preference for Air Coates.

There is the host authority for saying that neither Air Downie Stewart- nor Air A. I). McLeod had any supporters win) were prepared to take action on their behalf. One of the most remarkable things was that the Otago and Canterbury members, who might have been expected to support Air Downio Stawtr, did not do so.

There i.s a well-founded report that Cabinet has already decided to recommend Air Coates to the Caucus. In this event, no other candidate is likely to he put forward.