POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1931, Page 5

POLITICAL

ADDRESS BY MR COATES,

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

STRATFORD, July 20,

Mr J. G. Coates, accompanied by Mr Jones, delivered an address to a crowded audience on Saturday. * He dealt largely with the economic conditions, saying lie would put forward the Party’s policy at a later date. Dealing with assistance given by Reform to United, lie said for the first time In Bntish political history we have had the case of a Party not only giving away its policy to the opposing Party, but assisting the latter to put it in operation.

Of seven points recently propounded by Reform, six were now ill operation by the United Party, with the assistance of Reform.

Mr Coates admitted that in the early stages Reform fought United tooth and, nail, but when their policy changed and something on sounder lines was attempted, full co-operation was forthcoming. He claimed that wages and general conditions had vastly improved during Reform’s regime, to a greater extent than under any previous administration.

He discussed the fusion offer on lines of previous addresses and stressed the country's dependence on primary production, and said the farming industry must be placed on .a sound and payable basis. He also advocated support of local secondary industries. Air Jones spoke before Mr Coates’ arrival advocating prudent finance and sound administration. There must be a sound Government with sufficient strength to put its policy into oper. ation.