CHOICE OF A NEW LEADER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 973, 16 May 1930, Page 1

CHOICE OF A NEW LEADER

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S RESIGNATION UNITED PARTY CONFERENCE CALLED HON. G. W. FORBES IS NOT A “CERTAINTY” Special to THE Sl'.V WELLINGTON, Today. TO those who have been reading the political signs, the resignation of the Prime Minister came as no surprise. In point of fact, it was forecast in THE SUN at the beginning of March as likely to happen within one month, and there is every reason to believe that the Prime Minister himself wished to take this course.

Reliable information is that upon Sir Joseph Ward's last visit to Wellington (the only one he has made since going to Rotorua) he came to the capital city expressly to place his resignation in the hands of his colleagues, and to apprise them that he meant to inform the Governor-Gen-eral. That this oourse was not taken was largely the result of the dismay which was revealed by Cabinet members, who dissuaded Sir Joseph from the course which was indicated to him by his medical advisers, and which his own judgment told him to be advisable ansd in the best interests of the country. The question which now arises is when and how the new leader will be chosen.

A conference of the Parliamentary members of the 'United Party has been summoned to take place at Parliament Buildings, W'ellington, on Wednesday next. Telegraphic notifications were sent to members after the pending resignation of Sir Joseph Ward as Prjme Minister had been announced this afternoon. The leader will have to be chosen by the whole party in caucus, and the statement from Rotorua that the Hon. G. W. Forbes probably would succeed Sir Joseph Ward is somewhat overoptimistic. The question of the new leader can be determined only by the following which he is likely to command among his own party, and the relations which he is able to maintain with the Opposition. This last is particularly important in a minority Government such as the present ona. There is nd evidence whatever that Mr. Forbes would command even a reasonable amount of neutrality among the Labour ranks, while there is a very definite feeling among his own party or there was last session—that he is lacking in the necessary traits of a leader, however, the qtestion is one for the party to decide, amd even if Sir Joseph Ward has named Mr. Forbes, it is doubtful if anything hut practical considerations will weigh with the party." Other names mentioned for the post of Leader are those of the Hon. E. A. Ransom and the Hon. H. Atmore. That the leader will be chosen by the party in caucus, and not the United organisation, was made clear today by United headquarters, which stated that the choice of the new leader was no affair of the organisation. It was also stated that the new loader would be chosen by Cabinet, but that is of course impracticable, for it "is a function of the party and could not be taken from it. It is eixpected that the GovernorGeneral will send for Mr. Forbes as acting-leader, and that he will be told that Mr. Forbes is prepared to form a Government to carry on till a new leader is chosen, or else that immediate action will be taken to choose a new leader, so that when his Excellency is to be met the new leader will be sent to him. It is safe to say that there will be no refusal to form a new Ministry, though if the Government asked for a dissolution it would be sure to obtain it. It is also certain that the United Farty *will approach the next session with very mixed feelings. In view of the fact that the session is now six weeks off, it is doubtful whether a special session will be considered necessary, though no doubt some members of the Opposition parties will think this the proper course.

CHOOSING A LEADER

CONSTITUTIONAL METHOD UNITED PARTY’S POSITION The resignation of Sir Joseph Ward as Prime Minister, must be accepted by the Governor-General as soon as he receives it, and takes effect from that date, according to constitutional practice. It is then the duty of the Governor-General to send for another member of Parliament, usually nominated by the retiring Prime Minister, and give to him the task of forming another Ministry. Although it has never been exercised in the Dominion, the Governor-General, like the King, has the righ" to refuse to be guided in his selection by the advice given him. This step has been taken in England, however. When Gladstone resigned in 1894, Queen Victoria acted entirely on her own initiative in choosing Lord Rosebery. The present King, when Mr. Bonar Law resigned, went over the head of the Marquess Curzon in choosing Mr. Baldwin. The resignation of an English Prime Minister often involves the resignation of the Cabinet, but members retain office until a new leader is appointed. On the death of the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey in 1925, Sir Francis Bell was appointed Prime Minister pending the selection of a new leader by the Reform Party. He resigned when the Rt. i Hon. J. G. Coates was chosen, and the Governor-General then sent for Mr. Coates, who agreed to accept office. • Cabinet members immediately

tendered their resignations, the new Prime Minister being at liberty to choose his own Ministers. The same course is open to the present Government. Constitutional practice demands that the newly appointed Prime Minister and his Cabinet should meet Parliament as soon as possible to find if they are received with confidence. At the 1911 election Sir Joseph Ward had announced that he would remain in office only if he had a clear majority, and he accordingly resigned when, in the following year, he was retained in power only on the casting vote of the Speaker. Sir Thomas Mackenzie was chosen as leader of the Liberal Party; but could not retain the confidence of his supporters, and was himself defeated In the following July.

The caucus of the United Party next week will be called on either to endorse Sir Joseph Ward’s choice of a successor, or to select a new leader.

“A MANLY ACTION”

PRIME MINISTER’S DECISION HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPH Special to THE SUE ROTORUA, Today. “It was a magnificent and manly thing to do," aaid one of the Ministers, after Sir Joseph Ward's retirement was announced. “It is no light thing to lay down a Prime Ministership,” he said. The Prime Minister's decision to resign was kept a close secret. A Cabinet meeting had been called for 10.30 on Thursday morning, but at that time all the Ministers were away inspecting a native group settlement scheme at Horolioro.

They returned shortly after 11 o’clock, when the Hon. G. W. Forbes conferred with the Prime Minister in the latter’s private suite. -Subse quently other Ministers were called in, and at 12.30 the announcement was made.

It was with a touch of sadness that the Ministers assembled on the verandah of Prince’s Gate Hotel while Sir Joseph was brought from his room to be photographed for the last time as Prime Minister. It was an historic occasion, the significance of which was felt by all present.

VIEWS OF MR. COATES

EARLY SESSION A QUESTION FOR NEW LEADER Pres* Association WELLINGTON*, Thursday. “I prefer not to discuss the political aspect of the matter at all,” said the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hoe. J. G. Coates, when asked tonight if he had any observations to make ou the situation that had arisen as a result of the Prime Minister’s intention to resign. “On personal grounds I am very sorry to learn that Sir Joseph Waro’e health has not made the improvement that had been hoped for.” “Do you think it necessary to call Parliament together?” was a further question asked of Mr. Coates. “That is a matter for the new Prime Minister,” he replied. “Personally I think it would be only cricket to give a new team a chance and silow them to settle in their new position and find their feet before asking them to face the House.” Mr. Coates, who arrived in Wellington this morning, returned to Auckland by the northbound limited tonight.

MR. WILFORD’S TRIBUTE

BROAD-MINDED IMPERIALIST WITH A BIG HEART United P.A..—By Telegraph Copyright Reed. 10.50 a.m. LONDON, Thurs. “Thirty years of political association has taught me to regard him as a broad-minded Imperialist with a big heart, a generous hand and a worldwide view.” said Mr. T. M. Wilford, New Zealand High Commissioner in London, in paying a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward. “His resignation is an irreparable loss to New Zealand.” (Continued on Page 10.)