REFORM SHOWS REVIVAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 10

REFORM SHOWS REVIVAL

ADDRESSES TO PARTY SUPPORTERS

MR. COATES'S OPTIMISM

i “A growing revival of public „ p , a ! favouring the return to power ot Reform Party exists throughout 3 country," declared Mr. A. Harris u „ for Waitemata. speaking at the ’ Zealand Political Reform Leir!* i garden party on Saturday afternoon Speakers at the entertaingL, which was held at the resident”'; Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Ferguson. jU uera, expressed their optimism at n position of the party and their , rtdence in its personnel and its non. The guests were welcomed bv president of the womens commie.! of the League. Dr. Hilda Northern? a ltd those present included thee Hon. J. G. Coates. Leader of Opposition. Mrs. Coates. Sir Pal. Mitchelson, M.L.C. ,he Ba , Mander, M.L.C., Mr. Harris. Mr G V Wilson, president of the league jj B. G. Edwards, organiser, and n Francis Hull and Mr. Robert p a 1-ell. two of the three reauthv ing members of the National Assort'-' tion. from which the partv origimtJl' Addressing the guests. Mr Rar? ! contended that the present Coven? j ment was a party of broken pi ed J j and there was a feeling growing New Zealand for a return of the sit! port for the Reform Partv. which has done much for New Zealand in u years of office. Every citizen should see that a tried and tested namshould have the opportunity of cor Uniting its work, Mr. Harris m.j,, lained. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED Air. Harris went on to criticise »h •Ward Millions.” the loan embarr! : charge, increased taxation, stonnf! and construction under the railway | an <l provision for grants in estimate, ; before passing the authorisation bin Mr. Harris predicted that uuemoloy ment. which had not been solTeo would lie as serious as ever after simmer. The Government's "spoils to the victor" policy was criticised and inHarris said the iate Mr. W. F. Masse had even been accused of rewardin'! his enemies. "After many years, it is necessary to overhaul the Reform machine,” said Mr. Coates. "The party’s great hi'torv will have to be made even greater. The banner of Reform represents the highest aspirations of all classes of the community and businessmen, agricultural producers and workers contribute to the progress of the party.” Mr. Coates predicted the playing of a , greater part in politics by women. New Zealand was probably the first country to give female franchise bur women in other countries were no* accomplishing more. Although the measure was placed on the Statute Book in Mr. Seddon’s time, it had been proposed by Sir John Hall. “TWO PARTIES ONLY” "There are only two parties worth counting—Reform and Labour.” declared Mr. Coates. "The Government numbers only 28 members in a House of SO. Where possible, the Opposition is giving the United Party the opportunity of fulfilling its promises. Reform has always played the game but the Government has been trying con tinuallv to discredit it by stopping or delaying the Taupo railway, the deviations at Morningside and* Palmerston North, and road-works, and by spreading rumours concerning Arapuni and other electricity schemes.” Mr. Edwards explained the aims and the activities of the legaue, and. on the motion of Dr. Buckley Turkington. a resolution was passed considering the Reform policy to be in the best interests of all sections of the community. The return of the party to power was pledged.