WELFARE LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1925, Page 3

WELFARE LEAGUE.

VIEWS ON ELECTION. "The result of the elections, in my (.pinion." said Air C'. P. Skerett, K.C.. president of the Welfare League, when seen h.v a “Dominion'' reporter yesterday. “shows that this cuinlry has at last realised Hi" lurking danger of Communism, which has recently shown its hal'd openly in the shipping strike. Thi- ‘Red’ infliicm-e ha-, been gi-.oluaUy p, imeal ing our social and polltcal litc fur sonie years, m l only in the Dominion hut throughout tlie Empire, and it was to combat this influence that the Welfare League came into existence. The general public, however, did not know or realise to what extent the ‘Red’ disease was working, and I cannot help feeling that the persistent efforts of the league over the past six years, combined with recent events here and in Australia, have at last convinced tlie large majority of electors that the revolutiunry Socialist programme was a real danger. Once the public realised this, its reply at the ballot Iro.x was a foregone conclusion. At tae

same time 1 must warn you. that the deadly work of the Communists is still going on. amt we must not become apathetic. Vigilance is as essential as ever.” “Personally and as president of the Welfare League." proceeded Air Skorrett, “t congratulate the electors on having returned a Government with a good majority, for we have had too long a period of Government holding office on a narrow margin, with the result that a strong and vigorous policy was practically impossible. That has now passed, and All* Coates will find himself able to proceed with confidence. At the same lime I venture to express th opinion that his majority is. if anything. too large, tor a sane and sound Opposition is necessary tor good government.”

“Of late years there lias been a dangerous and growing tendency tor the Government to einoach on and enterinto competition with private enterprise. The Welfare League has repeatedly ami openly protested against this class of legislation. We. therefore. welcomed Mr Coates’s promise* of •mure business in government and less government in business’ and I trust that the country will he given an opportunity to expand and progress as a result of private initiative and enterprise on sound lines, unhampered by undue legislative interference.”