WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1931, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

DVENT OF COALITION. A CROWDED HOUSE. (Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, September 23. The occupants of the , crowded galleries in the House of Representatives last nigllt were more than a .ittle disappointed by the brevity of the proceedings with which the old Government, was fa rewelled apd the new welcomed, to its task. The Prime Minster bad waited upon the GovernorGeneral at noon to- tender to His Excellency the resignation of him elf and liis eol’eagues and to seek his approval of a new Government representative in equal numbers cf the Unifed and ’ the Reform Parties. Ilis Excellency’s ■ permission Was graciously acceded and shortly after four o’clock the ten members of the coalition Ministry presented themselves at Government House to take, the prescribed oaths and to receive the benediction of the representative of the Crown. , With s' 1 much preparation those who were for- < < tunate enough to secure seats in any - of the galleries naturally expected a more lengthy entertainment than the on vouchsafed them. As a matter of fact, however, .the proceedings ,iit the House occupied no more than a quarter of an hour.

BRIEF SPEECHES. Mr Forbes mid Mr Coates were the only .speakers, save for one or two harmless interrupters from the i Labour .benches, and an inquiry from Mr H. E. Holland, now graced with the title and privileges of the Leader of the Opposition, concerning the general election and the progress of the business of the House. Mr Forbes having touched briefly upon the needs of the position expressed a wish “to pay a tribute to the public-spirited action of the Leader of the Opposition and bis party, as well as to my colleagues and the other members of the Government party.” Mr Coates was equally apt if not quite so comprehensive as the Prime Minister had been. “I ask our party to stand by, and I know it wi11,.” lie said. “I ask our supporters in the country to assist in the work that lies ahead.” The “Leader of the House” also paid a graceful tr - bute to the retiring Ministers. The new Leader of the Opp‘'s’tion is not -o ready with such courtesies.

<•- READJUSTMENTS

The acquisitions, to the Government by the readjustment of portfolios arc Mr Coates and Mr Stewart, 1 ami both the Prime Minister himself and the “Leader of the House” will be ready enough to admit that Mr Downie Ste v-ar-t‘ is the greater acquisition of the two. The new Minister of Finance lias a facility of handling figures and expounding them which few politicians I>oss6'ss,’ : and with wide experience be- 1 hind him lie provides the Coalition Government with one of its most urgent reeds. Mr Coates himself never has, inspired to charge of tbe Treasury and wiiis glad enough wl en the opportunity occurred to transfer this weighty re- - pdnsibilitv to his well equipped colleague! Mr Forbes lias disp’ayed the same good sense. The other Reformers who will sit with Mr Coates on E'c Treasury benches still have their wav to make. Of the three Mr Hami’ton has the heaviest ! oad to hear and judging from what a looker on may see he i s likely to turn his cp'-ortmiity to godd account. He at any rate has opportunities.

; WHTXEXT? There is speculation on a'l sides as to how long the Coalition will survive in its present mutual 1 trust .and harmony. The Labour Party, sadly disappointed F>y Reform’s association with United, is predicting a breach between the two older parties before the end of the year. Mr Holland and his follower’s had been hoping that they might again constitute the third party and turning from United to Reform find Mr Coates more pliable than Mr Forbes had shown himself to be.* Mr Coates, except for his consistent courtesy, showed no sympathy with this scheme, but it was persistency thrust upon him until at last lie made it quite plain to the wor'd at large that that lie was more concerned for the welfare of the country than for the achievements of the party. This has sadly perturbed Official Labour whose dreams for the future had rested on the belief that one or the other of the older parties would be ready to trade with what it had to seel.