The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 1925. THE NEW PRIME MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 1925. THE NEW PRIME MINISTER.

The political quidnuncs having been , correct in naming the new Prime Minister, the political situation will now h e advanced End the air should he the clearer in the near future. Mr Coates has rather more than won his spurs in the political game. For a considerable period now he has filled the three most exacting portfolios in the administration of the country's affairs. Public Works, Railways and 1

Postmaster-General, should keep a man busy, but Mr Coates lias I ecu able to keep abreast of bis work, and in till three Departments there lia.s been well •sustained ] ingress, The new olliee carries (piite a distinctive responsibility. But Mr loales' experience has been ripened in the training lie has bad. He knows the world well, understands his fellow men. and being young at.cl enthusiastie, it will lie surprising if lie does not make a worthy leader. We are told his choice "ns unanimous. That give's lain a clear mandate. We do not think Mr Coates will l.e iound to le self-centred. Bather Avill he ho c lear of sell-interest. lie knows what the country lias to la:e politically, and we should not, be surprised if he is not an advocate far fusion. The desire tor this is ringing through the land, and if it is to route it should come quickly so that the political outlook will lie defined definitely. Indeed, it the idea is to lie deferred the fusion is not likely to come to pass. It would lie useless t.i wail til! after the general election for that implies a triangular con test. ami the while argument lor fusion would le Jeteated by such a process. Dr, that account now is the time to seek for eo-ordinaiioli among the [attic's bent on the sate and sound government of the country. There is an urgency for the fusion and any delay is danger,ms. Just as Mr Conics has j rove I acceptable to the ip-form members so we believe Ills leadci ship would nor. he unacceptable to the Liberals. There i.*. thus a very good beginning ai the outset. It is lor Mr Coates now to handle a .situation which if somewhat delicate, is at least, to our mind, capable i t slleec's.still handling. There are so many political matters on which the parties are in unison, that a progressive* policy could tic* agreed upon. this could lie the Oasis for the work lor the* coming session, and a display of good faith ol that nature would enable the nationalists to go to tin* foils, and face the electors with every eonlicleiiee. With the arrangement of the portfolios in the new Ministry. Mr Coates’ government will he established now, but it there is a basis tor a fusion agreed upon the .Ministry could he recast before llio session opens, and a strong Coalition Government he on the Treasury Benches from the outset. This is the best way of all to face the* trend of events and help stem the tide of public misgiving, if the parties affected will unite now for the public good.