DOMINION POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17978, 25 March 1930, Page 9

DOMINION POLITICS.

THE PARNELL ELECTION. STATEMENT BY MR COATES. A REPORT- DENIED. W ELLINGTON, Monday. The Leader of the Opposition, Right Hon. J. O. Coates, who paid a flying visit to Wellington to-day, denied in an interview that Mr 11. R. Jenkins had approached him J'or the official Reform nomination. Mr Coates said Rial in the course of a conversation, Mr Jenkins had discussed politics generally, but Mr Coates had stated that lie could offer no advice to the member. He had explained,, however, that Ik would expect his party to accept a member if lie joined it by walking across the floor of the House during session. Mr Coates was disinclined to discuss the question of the selection of the Reform candidate for Parnell, stating that the -choice was a matter for Hie Parnell branch of the party to determine. The Minister of Health, Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, returned lo Wellington to-day from Auckland, where, on Saturday, ho attended - a preliminary meeting of Hie United organisation. Mr Stallworlhy slated that the Auckland branch had ils preparations well in hand and lie expected that the United selection from the several candidates in prospect would be announced at an curly dale. THE PREMIER’S IILLNESS. COUNTRY NOT SUFFERING(Biy Telegraph.—Press Association.) HOKITIKA, Monday. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelie, Minister of Internal Affairs, replying to expressions of sympathy regarding the continued illness of Sir Joseph Ward, said lie did not consider it sporting that some individuals and some newspapers should say or think Unit Hie Prime Minister should relinquish his position because of illhealth. Every member of the Cabinet was pulling his full weight, and tire country was not suffering as a result of the Prime Minister’s Illness.