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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1927, Page 2

Tim session which ended on Monday evening is being described as a record for duration. There was vhe usual Hood of talk, the official Opposition being responsible lor a liberal sliaic of the provocative discussions. As regards the sum total of the proceedings, the paying public will hardly lecl that the result of the deliberations is in keeping with the excess of time occupied, and much mure might have been done in lesser time under "better organisation. It would rather appear that the Government itself got out of band. The Reform majority is substantial, but it did not prove as cohesive as it might have done. That was palpable on dilleront measures, in regard to which the Prime Minister found bis mnna failing. Not that Air Coates was ineffective or lacking in initiative. On the contrary, be was always plain-spoken and courageous enough to lake up the cudgels whenever necessary, but lie appeared to lack that iv-rsoual magnetism which with his predecessor was so much demonstrated aL times in the task ol holding bis followers together, ami keeping them well disciplined. In short, Mr Coates lias not achieved the manner and the methods of the former Prime Minister, and bis leadership fell short in that respect. The session was believed to lie the testing time of the new Government, and if that really he so, it must ho confessed it has not stood up to the lest. There remains another session in the life of thi- present Parliament, and there is still opportunity to win through, hut “here is still milrli undone to he performed if the whole policy of Reform is to lie carried through. The majority which the Government had, has proved rather unwielilly. There were open party differences and attempts to discipline members inclined to kick over the traces, hut chief of all, there was the go as you please which marked the closing work of the session, when the Prime Minister lost complete control of liis party as an effective organisation. AVliat of the future? The divisions in Parliament are rearing their heads outside. A new party is in proeess of organisation, lnit till its leader is announced its effective strength is not a matter for serious consideration, excepting that the dividing of forces has a weakening effect all round, and gives a new opportunity to the party hotter consolidated and organised. The division of strength must sap the virility of the party following Mr Coates, and naturally endangers his position. It is admitted he hail a difficult role to fill, and Inis attempted to do honour and justice to the position, and (ho fact he has not succeeded bettor does not make him blameworthy personally, hut rather for a combination lof circumstances ’which cast the die against him. In point of fact he lias not had Mr Massov’s luck.