The New Zealand Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1926. HARDER NEXT TIME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12619, 2 December 1926, Page 6

The New Zealand Times THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1926. HARDER NEXT TIME

Especially in big politics it is wise to take the long tfiew. The Minister for Education (Hon. R. A. Wright) is looking into the future. He is ‘ a member of a Government which enjoyed a sweeping victory at the last General Election, and is enviably powerful in the House. Nevertheless, even at this relatively early stage, Mr Wright warns his people to expect a much harder fight than the last—“for various reasons.” Those reasons are for the greater part obvious enough to those interested. Mr Coates was a personality. He had handled one or two difficult departments with encouraging success. On the death of Mr Massey, popular approval bestowed the mantle on the young Minister. It was felt he had earned the opportunity to prove himself as Leader of the country. The idea became epidemic. Labour’s stupid platform helped. The rather .pathetic sterility of the Nationalists helped. A Coates wave swept the constituencies. The glamour of victory having given place to stern realities, it is discernible that the ebb has already commenced. In other and plainer words, the fond expectations of many of the Prime Minister’s admirers have not been fully realised. Perhaps too much was expected; that is the trouble with fanatical hero-worship. Again, it is certainly true that impetuous critics are inclined to condemn Mr Coates too early. They should remember that Prime Ministers are made, not born. Mr Coates has only just reached the saddle. None but the captious or the incorrigibly prejudiced will ask him to win his spurs right at the outset. But, after all allowances are made, it is only the truth that Mr Coates (and his Ministry) have disappointed people who were prepared and competent to judge him on performances alone. His slogan of less Government in business has not been put consistently into practice: witness the growth of the “control” system which threatens to develop into a noxious weed. As a matter of fact, the tendency is toward more Government in business; hence the increasing antagonism on the part of the commercial community to an Administration which thus professes one thing and does the opposite. Mr Coates also preached unity in the camp. Unity is not possible when a farmer-dominated Cabinet with a big majority in Parliament is responsible for the legislation. We are sure the Prime Minister is not wholly to blame; occasionally circumstances have persuaded him against his better judgment. Still, as the man in charge, he it is who will be called to account before the tribunal of thte electorates.

Next session Mr Coates may retrieve some of his lost ground and stabilise his political position. He can do so if he follows his own instincts and learns to profit by his mistakes.