IN ROTORUA

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 54, 26 October 1931, Page 3

IN ROTORUA

LEADER'S SENTIMENTS ECHOED BY PRESIDENT OF COMMITTEE EARLY START WITH CAMPAIGN "Naturally I am pleased to see that the Forbes- Coates Government has reeognised that the wishes of the people for a general election could not be disregarded," said Mr. A. G. Cottrell, president of the Rotorua Labour representation committee, to a "Post" representative. "It is quite evident that the decision to face the people has been come to with reluctanee, but the leaders of the Coalition have been foreed into a realisation of the f act that the electors would not stand for the setting up of what virtually amounted to a political dictatorship. "No fault can be found with the decision of the two parties to - present' a united policy to the cduntry — they have always been more or less one in heart and prineiple — but there was serious fault to find with the endeavour made to put that policy into operation without* the endorsement of the people. "Perhaps I hm wrong in saying that the Forbes-Coates coalition wished, if

possible, to foist a policy on the country, because, so far, nothing has been offered the electors in the way of a comprehensive programme for grappling with the serious condition of the times. The turmoil of political ineptitude which has characterised their collaboration has evolved nothing better than Mr. Coates' demand for another 2d in the £ taxation on the workers." Touching upon the position in the Rotorua electorate, Mr. Cottrell ventured the opinion that the coming contest would ereate some amusement. "What Mr. Clinkard and Mr. Vaile are going to do with each other I do not know," he said. "Our present worthy member, Mr. Clinkard, will find himself in an awkward position and in the face of some of his utterances he will find it difficult to escape a good deal of ridicule. Where Mr. Vaile comes in under the present arrangement is a disclosure which will be awaited with much interest and many electors may be called upon to readjust their political outlook. However, we know where Labour is and what it stands for." Discussing the contest for the Rotorua seat Mr. Alexander, secretary of the Labour representation committee, said that a vigorous Labour campaign could be expected without delay. The organisation of the electorate was complete and Mr. F. Moncur, the candidate, could be expected to enter the lists at an early date. The general feeling in the party was one of optimism. The Labour Party had a clear-eut, definite policy, it was out to serve the country as a whole and had no hesitation in trusting to the people for an intelligent verdiet.