WILL UNITEDS SURVIVE?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 1

WILL UNITEDS SURVIVE?

Crises of Coining Session PRIME MINISTER’S HEALTH Other Parties are Active Special to THE 3US' WELLINGTON, Today. FE approaching' caucus of the Labour Party, and the activity of Reform members in organisation work in the Auckland Province, point to the fact that both opposition parties in the House are determined to be prepared for an election if there is one this year.

The coming session is recognised by Ministers themselves to be the critical period of the United Party's term of office, and the opinion is expressed that if the Government survives the approaching session it will complete its three years of office. A crisis is expected on the Samoan question, on which Labour is certain to launch an attack in the House. Little support for this will be forthcoming from the Reform Party', but Samoa will provide the text for a long and acrimonious debate. More likely to mean danger to the Government will be the winter unemployment situation, the strain on the country’s finances, possibly added to by the fact that the Rural Credits Department may be called upon to provide finance for farmers who have decided to

withhold their wool rather than sell it at prices below tke cost of production, and the attack on land settlement which is likely to be launched by Reform. An overhaul of the possibilities of land settlement is stated to be in progress by the Reform organisation, which is also adopting a platform plank providing for the investigation and revision of manufacturing industries on the lines of “rationalisation.” On the unemployment question the issue in the House of Representatives may easily be forced. If the £rime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, is sufficiently improved by his treatment at Rotorua to re-enter the House and lead it. Labour may stay its hand. But if Sir Joseph W r ard is unable to be at the head of his party during the session, a no-confidence amendment is anticipated. A rumour is nowcurrent that there will be a meeting of the members of the United Party this month, and that at this meeting the question of leadership will be considered, but this seems to be totally without foundation. The United Party has shown no evidence of desire to change its leader, and Sir Joseph’s condition is improving under treatment. WTietker he will improve sufficiently far to be able to face the strain of another session, with its certain crises, and its equally certain late nights, or whether he will be permitted to do so by his medical advisers, is another matter.

REFORM PARTY COMMENDED

ENTHUSIASM AT HAMILTON From Our Oicn Correspondent HAMILTON', Today. An enthusiastic meeting of supporters of the Reform Party was held last evening. Mr. A. M. Bisley presided, and speeches were given by the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr. A. M. Samuel, M.P., and Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. The following resolutions were carried 1 unanimously: “This meeting of supporters in the Hamilton electorate reaffirms its confidence in the Reform Party, commends Its activities in opposition, and pledges Itself to work for the return of the Reform candidate at the next election.” “This meeting records it 3 appreciation of the Right Hon. J. G. Coates as leader of the Reform Party, and pledges him its whole-hearted loyalty and support ”

MEETING AT TAUPIRI from Our Own Correspondent TAUPIRI, Monday. A meeting of Reform Party supporters was held at Taupiri on Saturday evening, Mr. Seulbury presiding. Addresses were given by Mr. Arthur Hall, M.P. for Hauraki, and Mr. Edwards, a Reform Party district organiser. A resolution, passed unanimously, expressed confidence In the Reform Party, and especially in the party's leader, the Rt. Hon. J. G-. Coates.