The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1928. THINGS POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1928. THINGS POLITICAL.

In the stutly of things political just now, there is very general indication of considerable movement on the part of the leaders of the parties. Jhe Ministers in particular are moving about considerably, and it would appear from what has been said by our well-informed Wellington correspondent, the attention formerly devoted to the North Island is now being centred on the South Island. A caucus meeting has been held in Christchurch. In that centre the present. Government Party lias never been very successful, while some of the seats held in Canterbury by lleform are said to be precarious. When speaking at Dunedin last week, the Minister of Finance seeme<t to be regarding the general outlook with some pessimism, and remarked: “If I perish, I perish,’’ suggesting the defeat of the Government was something quite on the cards. No doubt the Prime Minister realises his prestige is considerably dimmed. There is a lack of those performances which were blazoned forth during last general election while the situation within the Dominion is far from satisfactory. Mr Coates lias incurred a good deal of odium over the attempt at Licensing Legislation hilt his mistake iii that respect was in not cracking the party whip and seeing that his effort was better supported by his own followers. They were pledged to Mr Coates ]>ersonally, and broke away wholesale. To save his face somewhat the issue was not made a party one, but the failure to get somewhere with the bill reflected on its sponsor, the more so as Mr Coates was Prime Minister and had such a following behind him. In point fact, his state-craft was prejudiced very seriously. So far as the South Island is concerned Mr Jones, M.P., formerly a Deform organiser,, is to be appointed for the reorganisation of the South Island. He will have a good deal of delicate work too. for many former supporters of Reform are now linked up with the United Party, which appears to be something in the nature of a coalition of Liberals and Reformers. The essential lacking of the Uniteds is the selection of a conspicuous leader who would or could capture the people. This want is the strongest factor in favour of Mr Coates holding the premiership. The split in the parties as far as it 'has gone will in the final weighing depend on the personnel selected to guide the political fortunes of the Uniteds. The Labour Party though credited with much spade work last Parliament, still has its past to live down. The nonsuccess of Labour Government in Australia is also something of a fingerpost warning the electors off a dangerous route. Labour is growing more milder in speech, but the radical ideals it has always held are there in the pough, apd its extreme sectiop would

expect them to bo developed if the Treasury benches were reached. ’I be fact constitutes the danger of letting Labour into power. In the general shuffle likely to take place at the next appeal to the country, Mr Coates’ personality will count less, and his following will suffer, but he is not likely to h,; ousted from office unless the Unitoils return in unexpected force, and are able to oust the Government with the help of the Labour vote. That does not appear a very possible contingency at this juncture, and in the meantime ministers have a good deal of time and freedom of action to make good at least some of the unfulfilled pledges of the past.