Reform Discipline is Unimpaired

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 1

Reform Discipline is Unimpaired

SELECTING A WHIP MR. COATES TO CHOOSE(THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter .) WELLINGTON, To-day. It is gathered in the lobbies that the question of the Junior Whip of the Reform Party was freely discussed at the caucus to-day, and the question of the appointment of a new Whip was left in the hands of the Prime Minister for his sole action.

This would seem to destroy, in some measure, the prediction that fireworks would characterise the caucus, and that some of the members would endeavour to precipitate a split with Mr. Coates in the party’s ranks. On the contrary it might be inferred that, notwithstanding the fact that certain members of the Government Party have expressed views privately, and on the floor of the House, that the Government is not all it was represented to be, there is still general support in the party ranks for the pmicy which Mr. Coates has adopted.

Several names are whispered as aspirants for the position of Junior Whip, but now that the Prime Minister has the selection in his hands it is difficult to say whether he will revert to the generally-accepted custom, prior to Mr. Glenns appointment, that one Whip be chosen for each Island. There is a- feeling among some of the Southern members that this practice should be followed, and they suggest that this is an admirable opportunity for putting it into effect.

In the meantime Mr. J. S. Dickson is carrying full responsibility of Whip.