REFORM CAUCUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3877, 29 November 1928, Page 2

REFORM CAUCUS.

SPIRIT OF UNANIMITY.

Resolutions ' affirming continued confidence in the Right Hon. J. 0. Coates as their leader, and endorsing the. course of action adopted by him as Prime Minister in dealing with the situation arising from the general election were passed by a caucus' of the Reform Party yesterday. Twenty-seven out of the 29 members of the party were present, and apologies were received from Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Ricearton), who is away judging at a show, and from Mr. Tau Henare (Northern Maori), who was unable to reach Wellington in time to be present. In addition to the Parliamentary representatives, the Hon; T. S. Wjeston, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, and Mr. P. F. Hockly were present.

The following resolutions were passed:— That the party fully endorses the course of action adopted by the Prime Minister in dealing with the situation arising from the results of the general election. That the party also express their keen appreciation to all electors who supported the Government candidates at the polls, and trust that they will keep themselves prepared to meet any similar call in the future. That we, the members of the Reform Party in Parliament, affirm our continued confidence in the Right Hon. J. G. Coates as leader of the party, and our determination to stand loyally with him in whatever course the exigencies of the present political situation may render necessary in the interests of the Dominion whole, which the party, as in the past, places before all other considerations, The Prime Minister stated last night that the meeting had been marked by a fine spirit of unanimity on the part of the members of the Government Party in their desire to follow a line of procedure which would best promote the general good in the very difficult position which now faced the country.

l “The discussions,” Mr Coates added, “centred round this main aspect of the situation, and, the recognition of the heavy responsibility which now rested upon the members of the party in placing the interests of the country paramount over other considerations was felt and expressed by all. It was not the question of party advantage which actuated the minds of our members at the present time, but rather the course of duty likely to be in the interests of the general welfare of the Dominion.” REALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS.

Consequent upon the resignations of the four defeated Ministers,' which were accepted by the Go-vernor-General on Monday, the Prime Minister announced yesterday that His Excellency had been pleased to make the following appointments in connection with the vacant portfolios: — Right Hon. J. G. Coates: Mines and Agriculture. Hon. W. D. Stewart: AttorneyGeneral, Justice, and Defence. Hon. J. A. Young: Industries and Commerce. Hon. R. A. Wright: Labour. Hon. K. S. Williams: Lands, and Commissioner of State Forests. In regal’d to the other Departments which were administered by the former Ministers, the Hon. W. D. Stewart will have charge of Police, Prisons, Electoral/ and War Pensions Departments; the Hon. R. A. Wright the Printing and iStationery, and Pensions Departments; and the Hon. K. S. Williams the Valuation, Land for Settlements, Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement, and Scenery Preservation Departments.