COALITION GOVERNMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1964, 12 April 1919, Page 1

COALITION GOVERNMENT.

SIR JAMES ALLEN’S VIEWS

STRENUOUS YEARS AHEAD

The desirability of continuing the coalition of the two main parties in the House of Representatives to face the period of reconstruction was mentioned by the Acting-Prime Minister (Sir James Allen) at Normanhy on Friday. The serious problems to be dealt with by the Dominion in connection with education, production, and the social and economic life of the country, he said, would have to be faced with the experience of the past few years. The political compact of the past four years would last until peace was signed and the soldiers came back. It was a matter of common knowledge that at the last meeting of the Reform Party a resolution was passed expressing the willingness of the party to join hhmls with the Liberals for the better government of (he country for the next few years. During the war time, with the stimulus of patriotism, it was easy to unite hands, but it might now prove more difficult. This matter should be considered from the point of view of what was Rest for the country j during the next few years. The strenuous times coming could only be faced by a strong Government, and he hoped (hey would have a strong Government, lie hoped that the bulk of the two parties would remain together. He said this not because he was a Minister, but because he knew that the country needed a strong load during the next few years. There was an election this year, when the people would say what they wanted. They should not become impatient, but should make up their minds. If they wanted the country run soundly (hey should be careful in the selection of their men, and select men who would bo prepared to make sacrifices, men who would resist the pressure sometimes brought upon Parliamentarians in an endeavour to induce them to do things (hat they knew were wrong.