THE POSITION IN THE HOUSE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3875, 24 November 1928, Page 2

THE POSITION IN THE HOUSE

STATEMENT BY MR. COATES. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Coates stated to-night: “I have already stated that when the results of the generakeleetion were definitely ascertained, I would make a further statement as to the course of action the Government intended to follow. “Although the Anal results in all the electorates are not yet to hand, they are now sufficiently definite to enable a decision to be arrived at as to the procedure to be adopted.

“It seems evident that no party has in itself a clear majority in. the House and in these circumstances, I am of opinion that the constitutional course is to call Parliament together as soon as possible in order that the position may be tested. “His Excellency the GovernorGeneral will accordingly be advised to summon Parliament to meet on Tuesday, December 4.” NO COALITION. UNITED PARTY’S ATTITUDE. Sir Joseph Ward, in a statement to the Press yesterday, announced that the United Party at its conference on Thursday was unanimous in supporting him in declining to entertain any proposals for a coalition with the Refonn Party. He had noticed that the United Party was being urged to entertain such a proposal, but he was cjuite satisfied that it would be a most improper thing for the United Party, the members of which were returned pledged to vote against the continuance of the Reform Party. He would regard it, as far he was personally concerned, as being a traitorous act to the electors of New Zealand, who had so largely supported the new party, to entertain any such idea; and it was, in his opinion, not by any means the way out of what was in some respects a difficult situation. Sir Joseph Ward added that he felt it was his clear duty to put on the Statute Book the policy the party had supported, even if it meant a further fight in the constituencies. For anyone to expect of the United Party that it should start to kill its policy by joining with its defeated opponents was asking for what was impossible. The fact remained, said the United Leader, that the four members who had been returned as Indepen- . dents had all communicated with him and had advised that they would support him on a want of confidence motion; the fifth Independent member was the former speaker, whom lie did not regard as a party man.

MR, H. E. HOLLAND’S VIEWS. Westport, Nov. 23. A Labour victory ball was held in the Theatre Royal to-night. Mr. H. E. Holland, after thanking the electors for having given him such a handsome victory in the town of Westport and in his electorate, went on to refer to the political situation. He had expected a statement from Mr. Coates by this time indicating his intentions, but this had not come. However, he thought, seeing the Reform Party was so hopelessly beaten, Mr. Coates would not attempt to ea«ry on; that he would either tender his resignation to the Governor-Gen-eral or call Parliament together very shortly and not attempt to carry on over Christmas. He thought that just as Mr, Coates had riot; been able to live up to his election promises of 1925, so Sir Joseph Ward would not be able to live up to those of 1928. Wihat the electors, had done was to drive the two parties opposed to Labour closer together. The .day was not far distant when Labour would lie the only alternative.to the party on. the Treasury benches. When Mi*. Coates had intimated the action he intended to take he (Mr. Holland) would have a statement to make as leader of the Labour Party. REFORM GETS BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT. ON RETURNING OFFICER’S CASTING-VOTE. Whangarei, Nov. 23. Subsequent to the recount of the Bay of Islands votes, it was discovered that ai parcel of 6 absentee votes had been overlooked. One of these was recorded as informal, three went to Mr. Bell, and two to Mr. Rushworth, making both 3837. The returning officer then gave his casting vote in favour of the sitting member, Mr. Bell.