The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1931. THE COALITION MANIFESTO.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1931. THE COALITION MANIFESTO.

The election manifesto which has been

issued jointly by Mr G. W. Forbes and Mr J. G. Coates, the leaders of the' respective parties to the Coalition Government, sets out very succinctly tne plain issue a,t the polls in a fortnight’s time. ■ The financial prospects of New Zealand are difficult to guage just now because of the great fall in the national income and the decline in the return from commodities. These two factors conjointly mean a drop of fifty millions in round figures, and trio effect of such a sum on the national finance can he well imagined by those who will put careful thought to the matter. We are in difficult times because of the dislocation in trade and commerce caused by the great 'slump.. Individual credit, like that of the country, is very restricted. The Dominion’s borrowing powers are now definitely restricted in respect to oversea loans, and puhiio works ore curtailed in consequence. The shortening of public and private enterprises resulting from the difficulties of finance, have created the problem of' unemployment, in respect to which a serious burden has to be borne. Realising therefore what the country is up against now and in the immediate future till export commodities recover lost values to some appreciable extent at least, there is the obvious call for careful administration. The public expenditure has been overhauled in many directions, and large savings made. In addition, taxation has been increased, buit the stringent position is not being relieved adequately. There is still a critical time ahead, and with the business in hand, and the plans laid to meet the difficulties as they now present themselves, this is not an opportune time to change governments, even if the country had a desire to do so. New Zealand is crossing a deep and difficult stream and it is not the occasion to change the team in mid-waters. The present administration has shown an appreciation' of the country’s plight. It has shown sanity and carefulness; and it is the surer means of reaching the other side safely. The alternative is a Labour administration, the leader of which and other spokesmen are making promises which would be delusive if power were gained, for there is not the resources in file country to honor those promises. Indeed were it attempted to meet the promises the country would quickly land fn complete disaster, There are ■ outside examples' of Labour’s maladministration, and we have seen jusit recently how the? electors of Great Britain dealt with the Labour Party which had had its opportunity to rule. Those world happenings should be lesson enough to guide New Zealand electors at the poll. The country’s fate will be decided then. At such a critical time the people -eannot afford to give way to local prejudices or past grievances. The occasion calls for a verdict which will place the Coalition Government in the fullest possession of the country’s destinies, and with the present reputable gentlemen in charge, of the affairs there will he every confidence of their right dealing in; the interests of all and not of any class only. Westland will have the opportunity to vote for a Coalition candidate and that opportunity will he availed of we believe very widely, iso that, in the end Westland will he again in step with, those other parts of the Dominion favouring safe anti sane government in preference to the prodigal policy of militant Labour.