POLITICAL JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1925, Page 1

POLITICAL JOTTINGS

i " Press ” Correspondent.) Mr COATES AT HOME. Air Coat-'s is a family man. Jle is Hie father of live young girls, and delights in their company. Yesterday, alter his election as Leader m the Reform Party, it was the maid’s night otf. so after tea the Prime .Ministerelect sent his wife with a friend to enjoy a laugh at the theatre, while ho stayed at home to wash up with the older gilds, and to mind Hie baby. The people must gain a real attention for a man like that. THK ATTORNEY GENERAL. .Mr Coates, of course, hones that Sir Francis Hell will .continue to act as Attornoy-Oeiioral, at least to the end «'.!' the present Parliament, and there is 111 tie doubt that Sir Francis will agree. ir Francis ha- not been a great deal in the limelight, and not a great many in the eounlry really know how much the country is indebted to him for his unstinted la hours, combined with his great ability. It. i.s suggested that as a climax to a, groat career, ho should lie honoured Jiv bring made a Privy Councillor. THE FUSION QUESTION. Talk of fusion continues, hut a.s Inis boon all along pointed out, it is unlikely that anything in that direction will he done for some time. A very important aspect of the situation, however, is that then' is excellent authority for saying that the new Prime -Minister is strongly in favour of fusion on sound linos. The speculation has been made in some quarters that in the event of fusion, the Liberals would expect four seats in the Cabinet. This would leave seven seats for Reform, and considering the numerical si l ength of the parties in the House, these proportions work out well enough on a figure basis, hut the ca'culalcis have overlooked the I’aet that ii' fusion does not come till after the election, the relative strengths of the parties may he changed and that other considerations may arise to alter the v. lnde coiiq.ht-xioii ol tilings. THE SESSION. It is not considered that the events of tile lasi feu days will in any way ha-ten the session, which will he the last one during the lifetime of the present Parliament. .Most likely the session will commence on Thursday, .lunc doth. The programme of legislation is 1 sure to he a short one. and the session may uni he lengthy, hut while it lasts 1 ii will he interesting.

SpeeiuilLion is rile as to who will no Minister of Finance when matters Ministerial settle down. The Lion. AY. Dovnie Stewart i- out of the country at. present, hut it i- probable that if lie return.' shortly lie will he asked by Mr ( or, tv- to Ii I! I he role. ( MANGE (IE NAME. Ii i- generally considered that Mr (Mates will change Ihe name ol the Party, and that in a little while the “Reform'’ Party will lie no more. However, this is one of the many things that cannot he done in a day, and, moreover, one of ihe filings llfrtt. to lie .lone successfully, must have Hie proper I line chosen lor it. .JOTTINGS. It is stated to-day that nearly everyone of the Go members present at yesterday's (‘aliens voted lor Ah' Coates. Ii i- also stated that sixteen members of the Liberal Pally were anxious for fusion. Iml there was no actual proof of the si.a lenient made ill ('aliens, and one member expressed the opinion that', in his opinion, no Liberal would "change his political coat" during the form of the present Parliament.