NO COALITION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 8

NO COALITION

MR F. W. DOIDGE’S VIEWS

OVERTHROW OF SOCIALISM INTEREST IN NATIONAL PARTY * or the duration of the war the basis of Government were broadened by the inclusion in Cabinet of men with proved business knowledge and experience it would be an excellent thing.” commented Mr F. Doidge, M.P. for Tauranga, when speaking at the annual rally of the South Auckland division of the New Zealand National Party, in the social hall of the Hamilton National Club on Saturday night. Mr Doidge, however, strongly disagreed with suggestions of a coalition of the parties during the war. The social hall was crowded, delegates being present from the nine electorates. Mr A. Gordon, chairman of the division, presided and also on the platform were Mr Doidge, Mr W. S. Goosman, M.P. for Waikato; Mr F. J. Short, chairman of the Bav of Plenty electorate; Mr H. J. Gill, chairman of the Tauranga electorate; Mr W. C. Kennedy, chairman of the Thames electorate; Mr W. Sullivan. National Party candidate for the Bay of Plenty at the last election; and Mr R. Rraithwaite, divisional secretary. Strong Disagreement “I am only expressing my own point of view, but I strongly disagree with the suggestion made by Professor Algie in Auckland that there should be a coalition of political parties for the duration of the war,” said Mr Doidge. “A few nights ago the Prime Minister declared that he would be untrue to supporters of his party if there were any slackening of the policy of socialisation. “Even though we entered into coalition on the understanding that there was to be no new legislation of a controversial nature,” continued Mr “we should still have to be party to the administration of legislation passed in the last weeks of last session. That legislation was prepared in a Socialist kitchen; cooked in a Socialist oven. Every bit of it reeks of brimstone. He who sups with the devil needs a long spoon. Coalition is not, I hope, for us.

“The Government can still be broadened by the inclusion in Cabinet of others outside the Labour Party,” concluded Mr Doidge, “but our job in the National Party, it seems to me, is clear. It is to see that New Zealand plays her full part in helping the Motherland to destroy Nazism and win the war. It is also our job to ensure the overthrow of Socialism in New Zealand.” Progress of Party The delegates reported on the progress of the party in their respective areas, and all commented upon the increasing and sustained interest being taken in politics. The organisation in all areas was in a very sound condition. There had been an increase in membership in nearly every small branch throughout the division, while there was no sign of the older members losing interest in the affairs of the country. The speakers, who included Messrs Goosman, Sullivan, Kennedy and Gill, as well as Mr Doidge, stressed the need for a national effort in the war and the necessity of bringing all forces together to this end. The successful prosecution of the war should be the main thing in New Zealand at the present time, not Socialism.