Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1931, Page 4

Mr Forbes’ appeal through the press on Wednesday for co-operation and support in the task ahead of the Government, should not be in vain. What he proposes is obviously the right and proper course to take. Mr Forbes lias made it plain he does not desire to hang on to office. He was ready to stand aside for any National Party inbned with the same resolve as himself—“To pull the country through the difficult times ahead.” That is the plain issue, and the more one contemplates the plain duty, the more one regrets Reform was not prepared to sink party prejudices and stepping into the breach, assist to make good the beset, fortunes of the Dominion. The action is quite in the

reverse to the occasion when the late Mr Massey appealed to the Liberals to join up and help in liiie Government of the country at the time of the war. Sir Joseph Ward's response was a 1 logo Li ner whole hearted without any attempt at bargaining and the records of those (.lays remind us how fortunate Reform was to have Sir Joseph and his capable colleagues in the National Government then formed. More intimate danger s beset New Zealand in its present financial difficulties than did the risks of those other days, and there is all the more reason now for a strong party to come together and work unitedly for the common benefit. The danger is more present today than when Air Forbes made his self-sacrificing and whole hearted offer. Since then, prices for wool have not been maintained as they promised. Dairy products have slumped again. Cheese is badly hit, and butter is falling, due to the rush of the Russian commodity. ATilues for prodin e sent overseas will drop again, making the internal situation hero more difficult. Unemployment is not being overcome, nor will it with the slump in values for primary products and the doubts and difficulties created by politics being so unstable. A National Ministry appeared to be the first step towards stable government and public- confidence inside and outside the Dominion. Till that is achieved, It will, be hard to niftke a real beginning at setting tile finances in proper older. Ml- Forbes is going to call T’arliamcht together iii loss than a month, and will make definite proposals on hjs part. If ho fails to satisfy the House, he is prepared i-o go to the country, and lot the electors settle the issue affecting a realignment of the parties. It would be more circumspect for Reform to do that duty now and save valuable time.