STILL HOPE ?

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 118, 21 May 1931, Page 10

STILL HOPE ?

A NATIONAL PARTY.

"NEW ZEALAND FIRST." ATTITUDE OP LABOUR, "OPPOSED EVERY ECONOMY." Hopes are held-by'the-Prime-Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, that a National party may yet be formed, with a "New Zealand first" policy, to control the affairs of the- country during the present economic crisis.,

Mr. Forbes said at Otahuhu last night that in originally suggesting the forma- , tion of euch a party he had. felt convinced that it was a means of more readily restoring confidence, both in New Zealand and in Great Britain. So r that nothing should prevent the freest and fullest dealing with the situation, all the cards had been placed on the table, and with- the wiping'of the political slate the way would have been leit i open for the formation of the strongest ' Government possible: " He' reiterated his ] regret that Mr. Coates had. declined the , offer. . "I feel sure/' the Prime Minister added, "that- the action -of -the.Government has been endorsed by a very body of public ' opinion throughout the country. If ever there was a time in our history when the co-operation of the people was needed, to enable us to surmount the obstacles impeding return to the paths of prosperity, it is now." Labour's Hostility. A Voice: Why didn't you ask the! Labour party to join in? I The Prime Minister retorted that the Labour party had opposed every economy measure designed to assist the! position. Even a shilling reduction was opposed, and Mr. H. E. Holland was now promising that if Labour were elected to office every penny "cut" would be restored, and every economy effected abolished. The result of that policy would be the bankruptcy of New Zealand in a very short time. (Dissent.)

"If -we follow a policy opposed to common sense and to a sense of financial . responsibility, it will mean bankruptcy for New Zealand," the Prime Minister repeated. "I am confident the great majority of the people do not stand for that."

Mr. Forbes said that, looking at the present position, he felt the time had come when people with a sense of responsibility should form a party that would stand for New Zealand's reputation and for the maintenance of the high level that it had attained in the past. "I consider," he went on, "that party feuds should be set on one side, as united action is required for the welfare of New Zealand in the future. No responsible man will say this is the time for new divisions. Let us get together and see that a policy is maintained that will preserve the financial stability of New Zealand. (Applause.) If Mr. Holland can join in with a party and a policy of that kind, all right. But it is no use talking with the Labour party when they say they won't support a single economy.". A voice: Put your hat on and go home! Continuing Mr. Forbes declared that the policy of the party of the future must be "New Zealand first." (Applause.) A voice: "And the worker last. Another voice: The Jews first.

Reform Supporters' Views. The Prime Minister said he had noticed that the Reform--party was. to be kept alive, even if its continuance meant a division of forcen. "I. believe," he added, "that the supporters of that party have the interests of the country at heart, and I have not lost hope thkt we may bo able yet to meet, them .in. that respect and face the country as a united party. In the meantime we have i to fight unaided.- Next session .1 will bring down any measured deemed necessary for the balancing of the Budget, and the Government will stand" or fall by those measures. (Applause.) There is no question of evading that issue. U the measures submitted to Parliament—and the proposals will be framed with a desire.to promote the best interests of the country, and an early restoration to normal prosperity—are rejected, we will have an opportunity , of going to the country and of askin" \ the electors to say whether they are in j favour of a sound, stable financial j policy, or whether they believe in some > of the wild-cat theories that are cloud- , ing the issue.

"I am a New Zoalander, and I know New Zealanders are sound at heart. 1 am confident that they will rally round a New Zealand party, standing first for

New Zealand's reputation, New Zealand's welfare, and New Zealand's prosperity. (Applause.) If that is done our troubles will soon disappear. If that is not done we don't know how long they will last." Not Faltering/ At this stage an attempt was made by a section to count Mr. Forbes out. To this he replied: "I don't think you mean that. You have given me a good hearing to-night, and I believe that from the bottom of your hearts everyone is with me. You sympathise with me; and I feel that you are pleased that I have put the position fairly and squarely in front of you. You would be disappointed if I faltered in carrying out the work that I have'set out to do. If we are not to get a National party at the moment, send Mr. Allen to Parliament to help me in my task. (Loud applause.) ....,