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Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1925, Page 2

Tin: selection of the Hon. J. (!. (Mates as the new leader of the Reform Party comments our political correspondent, in Wellington, had been generally anticipated for some weeks before it was actually determined at the party caucus. The lion. W. Dow 11 ie Stewart was the only possible alternative if. the cheery, pushing popular Minister »; Railways, and the reports lomerning the health of the absent .Minis', -r of Industries and Coinmerc". the.nub happily encouraging, were not siilli-' -nl.y emphatic to justify his friends in pressing his (hums to the high oflice. It

is understood that other names were mentioned and that it was M'gges'i d Sir Francis 801 l should remain at the head of the Government tor the pre-

sent: 'out tlie selection of Mr Coates was assured from the first and was finnlly announced as the unanimous choice of the | arty. The Wellington newspapers accept Mr Contes as the best, if not th,. only, possible choice for the leadership of the Reform Party. 'I he '■Dominion" qualities its eulogy of Ids personal limitations; hut it sneaks entirely a-j a candid friend and not at all ;|• a capkious critic. "On th other hand”, it says, after comm."id ing his vision, judgment and driving power, ‘‘he is a poor speak-*! - and is seldom effective in ihdcitc. Tlii'c is no evidence that he has giver mi.ch thought to the questions i t Imperial policy which are assuming f,vpr-increas-ing importance and must more and more engage the practical attention of those who hear the responsibilities of government here and in other Dominions,” The “New Zealand Times’’ is positvely effusive in its welcome to Mr Coaxes. “Given a fair run and a continuing opportunity. ’’ it says, after recounting the many good qualities of the new loader “Mr Coates will make good. We have referred to his individual outlook; to that we add breadth and depth. ... He has a man’s

job ahead of him; but ho is a full-sized man.’’ The “Evening Post” is a little more judicial than are either of its morning contemporaries in its appreciation of tlie new leader, hut it is equally encouraging.