TALK OF FUSION OF PARTIES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1930, Page 2

TALK OF FUSION OF PARTIES

MR COATES’S VIEW

ATTITUDE OF REFORMERS

AUCKLAND, Nov. 21

The suggestion that there should be a fusion of the Reform and United Parties was the subject of a statement 'by the Right Hon J. G-. Coates, leader of the Reform Party.

“There is a good deal of talk in certain circles about the alleged desirability of effecting a fusion of the Reform and United Parties,” said Mr Coates. “It is to be noted, however, that there has never been the slightest suggestion in this direction emanating from, any member, of the present Government ,or any prominent member of the United Party. 1 would recall that* when the United Party first took office, I made a frank and public offer on behalf of the Reform Party to give the new Government our support on every question on which it adopted. a policy consistent ’ with our principles. That offer was brushed aside, ■ and the United Government turned to the Socialist Labour Party for the support it needed in order to maintain itself in office.' Since that time the Government has consistently followed a course which has made it impossible for Reformers .to support it, while on the other hand the Government's policy has evidently been framed to satisfy the Labour Party, ; on whose votes it has relied, “If there is even now, as some people outside politics suggest, a desi r© on the part of the Government to free itself from dependence on Socialist Labour, then surely it won id he for' , the' Government to indicate the fact.

“So far as the Reform Party i.s concerned, we have as a party nothing to gain hv fusion. Our own party is absolutely solid. It lias definite principles and a clear-cut policy, and ue face the next general election with confidence. But the Reform Party has never put party interests first. We are not prepared to compromise with anybody on matters of principle, and there are certain : important points of policy which we regard as absolutely essential in the. national interest. If the United Party or any other party chooses to change its policy and adept the measures which we of the Reform Party believe to he right, then those who' advocate fusion may he able to justify their position, • but it is futile to suggest that we of the Reform Party ishould abandon our principles or cease to fight against- a policy which we consider thoroughly "bad. “There are seven items of policy unon which we insist. They areH) That there must be a return to the late Reform Government’s policy ■of 'tapering off public borrowing. ( ) That costs of production must be brought down to enable our producers to meet the new level of world prices. (3) Tha.t a policy of de-rating must be adopted to ease the burden of roading oopts on the farmer. (41 That the railways must he removed from political'' control. (5) That expenditure of borrowed money on railway construction must cease in all cases where it cannot be shown that the new line when completed will be economianlly sound. (6) T a rate of wages paid for single men or purely relief work must be lower than L standard rate. (7) That althowh night parades should he eliminate! . the Pvstem of national defence must still he based noon the principle o national service.”