REFORM CAUCUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2529, 13 January 1923, Page 3

REFORM CAUCUS.

ISSUES BEFORE COUNTRY. OPPOSITION TO COMMUNISM. A meeting of the Reform members of Parliament was 1 held in Wellington: on Thursday afternoon. Thirtylive members were present, Messrs Uni, Tau Henare, and W. D. Lysuar being" unavoidably absent. The meeting unanimously adopted the' folloAving resolutions. — “The Parliamentary members of the Reform Party, while regretting the party Avas not returned with greater strength, are not in the least discouraged, and intend doing their duty as before, in Parliament and out of it, on lines ivhich Avill best promote the prosperity and general interests of the country. “They desire to express appreciation of the fact that at. the 1922 elec tions the electors supported Reform candidates Avith nearly 73,000 votes more than at the previous elections in 1919, Avhile the increased A&)te for Liberal candidates was 10,999, and for Labour 11,723.

“The most important question at issue under existing circumstances is whether the doctrines of Revolutionary Socialism should be tolerated in New Zealand, and this conference is of opinion that, given effect to; or even attempting to five effect to, any such doctrine or policy would be disastrous to the country and should he resisted by every constitutional means in the power of right-thinking citizens. “In view of present happenings, this conference is of opinion that the line of political demarkation in this country should be between those citizens who, on the one hand, believe in a progressive, enlightened, and constitutional and, on the other hand, those who favour a policy of Communism or extreme Socialism. The conference is also of opiniin that the three-party system leads to instability of Government. at a time when a strong and stable Government is urgently neeessary. “This conference desires to state its conviction that the Reform Party has everything to gain by a further appeal to the country, but it hopes that another general election may he avoided (at all events, until the financial position becomes more definitely assured, and the depression lias quite passed away), and will welcome any equitable arrangement by which those members of Parliament who are opposed to Communism may be brought together with the object of expediting the country’s business and keeping in check any section which favours principles subversive of the best interests of the Dominion. “This conference, recognising the Prime Minister’s long and honourable political record, expresses continued loyalty to him, and pledges itself to stand by him in his endeavour to carry on the affairs of the country, believing him to be at the present time the man best fitted foi the position.”'