POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1925, Page 4

POLITICAL.

Silt FRANCIS BELL. WELLINGTON, May 20.

Provoked hy an Auckland report that Sir Francis Bell's Administration would recommend a leader to next week's caucus ol the Reform l’aity Sir Francis Bell has entered into tho leadership discussion to a limited extent. declaring xvlint was well under, stood beforehand —that Cabinet would not nominate anyone, hut would ica\e the choice to the party. When tile caucus meets. Ministers will he in the same position as private members of the party. It also has been suggested publicly that the Reform Party, when sounded on tlm occasion of the late Prime Minister’s'funeral, disclosed over xx helming support for -Mr Coates. While it is quite true that there appeared to he a preponderance of opinion in favour of the Minister of Railways, there was, nevertheless, a feeling of resentment which found tree expression, espe -hilly among southern members. at the Auckland section ot the starting so early and so vigorously advancing the claims of the Auckland partv. both in and out of Parliament. .Minister. II matters had been narrow this might well have prejudiced Air Coates, despite his excellent claims. iY.r he has not cultivated popularity among his own supporters in the House, and if the popularity factor alone had to ho considered he would I not win against -Mr Stewart, in recard to the latter’s claims, Sir Francis Bell has given to the public all the information which is available cunI coming his prospects of return to health, and in mi doing, and in denying the suggestion that Mr Stewait has offered to renounce his claims in favour ol Mr Cnaf-s. the present Prime Minister has .simply acted impartiallx. a c '. a kind of political referee', who will eti-

I' doiivour’ to keep the hold clear until the decision is made at the proper time. At least one Auckland member of ’ the Reform Party has expressed Ittm- [ self against coining to a decision until f Mr Ste Wart returns to New Zealand. ) luit the neiessity ol the parly hating s leader in time to meet Parliament ■ towards the end of .June will cause tlm . cl,lection to he over-ridden at the can

AICKIWND “ST A ICS” VIEW. ACCKLANI). May 20. •‘There is not the slightest doubt that, talk of amalgamation between the Reform and the Liberal-Labour Parties is iirreasing in political circles,’ says to-night's “Star", “but prospects of any immediate fusion are small. The attitude of some, at least, of Liberals and I! el tinners is Hint the two parties should come together under a new and comprehensive inline, but there is a strong Liberal feeling that the first oflieia! step should he taken by the Ixo- - side; indeed in some, quarters a ilcliuite stand has been taken that unless the lielorm Partv initiates the movement the Liberals will have ncf'.iing to d i xvilli amalgamation. Tf this attitude is general, and indications would suggest at the moment that it is there a ■'•pears t> L> only the smallest

possibility that the machinery to produce the fusion will he set in motion in the immediate future. Except lor a few- disgruntled Reformers, whose numbers, of course, will doubt less swell after a new Cabinet lias been appointed. the Governmenl side appears to he satisfied with things as they exist. They have forfeited the opportunity to go to the country In-lore Parliament

meets, which suggests that they led they i an weather the im-i oiifid-.-ncc m0i1,:,, i 1,:,, |hat is likely to he launched early in i ]-e - e-Mon. That being so there w mild an; ear |o he no part ieular reason from the Reform point ol view win- tlie |artv should rush the qiHsti'.m of fusion. That lad, however, dues not finally dispose of the proposal, wliidi is sure 10 lie prominent in the conver.lii n oi members in the lobbies durjx i h.. sc--i, n. ami w liiclc may quite ~an ma,My he cxnertcd I > develoi, until Ihe question will have to he.-etll''d one wav or the Other. It has lo he borne in inin■ 1 that if the I’dmin Party decided rn-xt Wednesday to approach the | jl, orals (111 llie fusion question they , mild i„, t eiupt v-liamlcd. The otiicial On, os ill on has a good standing ill die I Ime-c. and in the event ol amalgamation. and tho birth oi a now party being -uggested hv the liefonuers it

is generally runceded that at least three substantial p jrtfolios would have to he offered to the I iberals. Tile | O'ition Would tie'll ari.-e that the new Prime Minister, who will, doubtless, he Mr Coates, would hate his hands tied in selecting memhers of his Cabinet, a restriition that lie would likely consider intolerable. It is improbable that the party under such circumstances v. ciild impose i-neli a limitation upon tic ir ne t leader. I hat lieilfg so il would ap.'ear idle Lo speculate upon onv encouragement towards Insion coming directly and officially from the tii form meeting to he held on May 2i