REFORM CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1928, Page 6

REFORM CAMPAIGN

OPENED BY MR COATES

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 17

Confidence that an impartial study of his Government’s stewardship would lead to the conclusion that its administration of the public affairs of the Dominion during the last three years had been in the best interests of the country, was expressed by Mr Coates, in opening his election campaign here to-night. The Government, he said, had made notable progress for the whole of the public, and at the same time relatively reduced the cost of administration. The record of progress reached through the whole community—progress in public health; education plans, increased quantity and quality of primary production, encouragement of •manufacturing industries, promotion of industrial peace, improvement, of railway service, making of modern highways, provision of finance facilities for farmers, hydroelectric enterprises, housing policy which enabled the working man to own his home, and many other activities for the ideal of equal opportunity.

In conclusion, Mr Coates said it was unnecessary to refer at length to either of the opposing Parties, the Labour Opposition; and the more or less mysterious United Party. The Leader of the Opposition, in opening liis campaign last week, served up the same old masses of political pottage.

The United Party, which was responsible for a long-sustained guessing competition among the public in regard to its leading personnel and its principles, was not apparently taken any more seriously tlm Opposition than by the Government. It was simply a case of the ‘‘outs” crying for seats on the Treasury benches. He had no doubt the electors would prefer to put their trust in the administration. which had been well tried and never found wanting.

‘‘However,” added Mr Coates, “it will he well to remember that the votes cast for the United Party are votes which will serve, iii effect, to strengthen the Socialistic Labour Party in Parlinent.” ■_ Mr Coates had a ; remarkably good hearing from a crowded audience, the doors having been closed at 7.10-p.m., fifty minutes before Air Coates was scheduled to sneak. A crowd waited outside the hall Tor some time listening to the speech through the amplifiers on the roof of the building, b’-'t when presently rain fell the crowd dispersed. The following motion was carried : “That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to the Prime Minister for his able address and also extends its appreciation of the manner in which the administration of the country has been conducted . during the last three years; and further desires to express its continued confidence in the Government.” The motion was loudly applauded, and when put to the meeting was carried by a large preponderance of ayes over noes.

IT OX. HA WREN

ELTHAM,; Oct. 17

Hon. Mr Hawken addressed a large meeti”g '6f electors at the Town Hall tc-night. and was accorded a good recaution. (Dealing with Sir Joseph Ward’-, policy to borrow seventy millions, the Minister said that a huge borro’vin - scheme seemed to be the keynote of the whole United Party. This did not agree with the criticism -if- the present Government’s borrowing policy levelled for a long time lur the; United Tarty. Mr "Wilkinson, his opponent, an d Mr Poison (Stratford) had been preaching pessimism, stating the Government had been borrowing too much money, debt was piling up taxation foo high, the railways were not paying, and no new lines were being proceeded with, He asked wh it Mr Wilkinson thought of Sir Joseph Ward’s policy. Would he stick to liir guns,' or back up Sir .Joseph Ward’s policy. It seemed the United Party were prepared to risk a great boom in land and house building in order t< get hack into power. While many houses were still required, there wa. a definite danger that this poli y could be overdone. The -Reform Party in three years lent sixteen millions or during five years twenty-seven mil lions. Sir Joseph Ward’s policy inevitably would lead to a boom in land prices. Never in the wildest dreams of anyone but Sir ‘Joseph Ward had such a suggestion been made to borrow sevci t-y millions. As to the United Party land policy, any scheme that would absorb within eight years up to four hundred thousand people from overseas would cost nr:e money. On this question the idea of the members of the United Party find their Leader were considerably mixed. There seemed to be. a certain.* amount of pessimism, of stinking fish, and a great slice of optimism in the Shape of the seventy millions. How the Party could subscribe to the police laid down by Sir Joseph W arc! seemed extraordinary, as it was entirely contrary' to the expressed opinions of almost every member of the Party.

The prevention of aggregation of land was a good plank. It was one with which the Reform Party agreed. Closer settlement also met with Reform’s ideas, and a clean-cut statement to accomplish it was made lithe Reform manifesto.

CHJTHA SEAT. DUNEDIN, Oct. 17. Air F. Waite, Reform candidate for the Clutlia seat, addressed a well attended meeting at Balclutha hist

night, and announced himself as a straight out of the Reform Party. Ho was atvoia.vd a vote of thanks.