POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1931, Page 3

POLITICAL

LABOUR LEADER’S STATEMENT. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct, 24. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr H. E. Holland) has* issued the following statement:—- “ It is gratifying that the efforts of the Opposition, backed by public opinion, have resulted in the abandonment of the Prime Minister’s proposal' to disfranchise electors. ’Mr Forbes first raised the question in definite form when he arbitarily ended the work of the special Economic Committee. He then -insist, tl that before be would permit the comniitttec to proceed with its deliberations there must he an agreement to form a National Government and postpone the election. Labour members of the committee at that time offered the strongest opposition to any postponement, and since thyn the Labour Party has consistently demanded that Parliament should take the verdict of the constituencies at the usual time. “ It was inevitable that the Reform and United Partiis should eventually come together in an endeavour to stave off a Labour victory. Within recent times their respective programmes have had much in common and whatever differences may have existed between them have now vanished. During the past twelve months there has been a complete jettisoning of the programme on which Sir Joseph Ward secured support in 1928 and an unconditional. acceptance of Mr Forbes of the policy of the Reform Party. The last vestige of tin/- principles .put forward by the Party formerly led by Ballaiice and Seddon has now disappeared, and the historic enemies of the two democratic; statesmen named are in command of the remnant that claimed to be their political successors.

REkORM PARTY I*REDO.UINANT. "In the Coalition the Reform Party is predominant. It bolds nearly all the major portfolios. It has succeeded in driving out of the Ministerial camp men like Sir Thomas Sidey and Mr LJ, Atmore, and it has been able Lo impose its policy on the programme of its erstwhile opponents. “ For all practical purposes the Reform Party is now the Government, notwithstanding its devastating defeat in 1928. This is borne out by Ml', Coates, when, in his appeal to th.; supporters and selected candidates of the Reform Party to accept the new situation. lie intimates - that the Party will maintain its separate indeuiity and will not sacrifice its traditions. “In the statement issued hv Mr Coates, he declares that grave financial stress and danger disclosed by the evidence submitteed to the special Economic Committee is the reason for the alliance formed' bldweW ' the 'Reform and the United Parties. As a member of the special Economic Committee I have no hesitation in saying that nothing whatever was disclosed to that committee that was not already known to its members.

REASON FOR ALLIANCE. “'[’lie real reason for the alliance (about which 1 have ho right whatever to complain) is the mutual recognition of the grave political stress and dang, r menacing both Parties because of the unpopularity of their ineffective ynd unscientific programmes and the disastrous nature of their legislative and administrative acts. “I ain sure flint the country will await with much interest tin* appearance of the comprehensive plan for the general rehabilitation of the economic life of the Dominion, which Mr Co Acs tells us the Government has worked out. There is something particulai ly inapplicable, and not without a touch of humour in Mr Forbes’s statement that as the result of the Coalition the finances of the Dominion will be maintained on a sound and stable basis that the high reputation of New Zealand for honour and integrity will be in safe hands. ‘Safe hands’ can hardly be said to describe adequately politicians who have dishonoured every promise made to the electors and who have regarded no contract with cither the general public, the State employees or wage workers as worth the pa pci it was written on. DATE OF THE ELECTION. “ The Labour Party, in keeping with its repeated pronouncements, will facilitate the w.ork of the House in order that there, will be no delay in going before the electors. The definite date on which the election will he held should he made public without delay. The Government mave hope to reap some petty advantage by keeping the information within .Sts »"'ii Party; hut the electors are entitled to know. A regrettable feature is the absence of business-like methods in matters of such intense public importance as this.”