COALITION GOVERNMENT URGED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 1 June 1915, Page 7

COALITION GOVERNMENT URGED.

A CAXDIi; KRIEXD. . A UEFOHMER OX 11EK0TM, ■By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent. Christclmivh, Last Night. Mr. Coorge (iould, who hitherto has been one of the most ardent and active Keformers in ■Canterbury, appears to be growing ;v little, weary of his oid love. In sending a cheque for to the Chrislchurch Press for tlie Hospital Ship Fund, he criticises the Government in the following candid terms:— "1. attach your acceptance of the cheque a condition that von publish this letter expressing my regret, which I know is shared by many others, at the pusillanimous attitude of the (iovernment in shirking the responsibility of fixing by taxation upon a broad national basis the whole cost of our efforts m support of the Empire, including the outfit, complete ill every detail, o! the hospital ship." 'll.vving delivered himself of this outburst of very righteous indignation, Mr. (iould warms to his suUject as he thinks of the Government's attempt to dodge making adequate provision for tlie Dominion's representatives at the front. "That any Government should dare, 1 ' he continues, "to say that our mounded soldiers will lack essentials or comforts unless they are provided by private generosity is a confession of ingratitude that carries its own condemnation. I can only attribute this attitude to the political exigencies of the moment, and am almost moved to hope that the Opposition may secure the two outstanding seats shortly to be filled, and so- bring about a coalition Ministry having the courage of its opinions and the support of a united country." Significance is given to Mr. Gould's remarks by the fact that while the C!o----venuneut has so far confined its efforts to appealing to private generosity for support to tiie various funds that are being raised, the Leader of the Opposition lias consistrnl ly tilled the taxation on a broad national oasis which this, public-spirited Reformer is now demand-