WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1930, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

POLITICAL CAMPS

REFORM AND LABOUR ACTIVITY.

(Special Correspondent.l

WELLINGTON, March 13

On tlio strength of tiie presessional demonstrations of the Reform Party the local newspapers are building predictions of an impending political crisis. It is suggested that the Reform Party has decerned a marked revival in its popularity and that the Labour Party, tiring of what it calls * 7 | „ the inactivity of the United Party is prepared on certain conditions to give .its support to .Mr Coates and his colleagues for flic time being. Mr Coates so far lias not demonstrated any eager desire to embrace Mr H. IC. Holland and his associates, but he has lost no opportunity to let the world at large know tliat Reform is the only logical refuga for .Labour'. Meanwhile the United Party seems to be going about its hiurin.ess unperturbed, regretting, very earnestly Sir Joseph AA’aru’s indisposition, but not allowing it to prejudice the harmony and thoroughness of their daily round. ABOUT THE PRIME MINISTER, “The rumours of the Prime Minister’s resignation,” the “Evening Post” stated with obvious surprise last night, “do not appear to lie seriously disturbing Sir Joseph Ward.” His reticence In regard to his intention ill this respect is bound to involve the Prime Minister in some misunderstandings. Before lie left'.Wellington me other day to feturn to Rotorua lift let his colleagues and his intimate friends know exactly what was the doetorsi pronouncement upon his condition. Personally he remained sanguine as to his ability he of service to the country, and no one wished to discourage his optimism; hut to old parliamentary hands it seemed impossible for anyone in his condition to do justice to the Me mauds made upon a Prime Minister during a session of Parliament. Sir Joseph, however, well may •he sent upon presenting the Budget towards which he has been looking during the past twelve months. BRICKS. t) f course it is quite easy for one politician to throw bricks at another politician and to induce some lookeron to join in the attack. Mr D. G. Sullivan the Labour member for Avon, stated down South the other day that the debacle of the United. Party was at hand. “The; dissension in the United Party,” the “New Zealand Worker” echoed, “has weakened its prestige throughout the country. Failure to grapple vigorously with the land and unemployment problems has caused widespread disillusionment and discontent. And added to these factors in creating an unstable political condition in Sir Joseph Ward’s unhappy state of health.” 'As a. mrttte» of fact there ImVe been •uo : ,clissensions in the United Party of'any consequence, The removal of Mr A. E. Davy from the paid chairmanship of the Executive of the party, was an unpleasant episode, but it laid nothing to do with politics, CRICKET.

Wellington cricketers and ‘Wellington public find no fault will) the editorial criticism levelled against incidents of the recent Plunket Shield match played here around the week end, It seems ridiculous to the average layman, even if he has been playing cricket all his life, that the side scoring the fewer runs should win. But there are lull'd words for the special reporter from the province of the defeated side who implies that the captain of the Wellington team did not “play the game,” and 'that one of the nmpies deliberately favoured the side of his own province. Presumably the cricket authorities will take this matter in hand and see that the truth is definitely ascertained. At the moment it seems permissible to say no more than that it is very hazardous for a reporter off the field of play to charge an umpire with offences which if proved would debar him from further participation in the game.