REFORM PARTY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20085, 14 November 1930, Page 12

REFORM PARTY.

LOYALTY OF MEMBERS.

LEADER PAYS TRIBUTE.

[THE PBSBS Special Sorrlc#.]

WELLINGTON, November 13.

The loyalty shown by members of the Reform Party since its defeat at the General Election nearly two years ago was commended by the Leader of the Opposition, the lit. Hon. J. G. Goates, during his address at the opening of the Reform Club to-day. Mr Coates expressed the opinion that the Party would fight the' next election campaign more united and more oompact than ever before: Mr Coates said the occasion afforded him an opportunity of expressing a sentiment which he had long wanted to express to a representative gathering of Reformers. -Nearly two years had elapsed since the Party was defeated at the polk, and he wanted to say that in his judgment the Reform Party had never proved itself so loyal, staunch, and solid as during the- last two years since it suffered defeat. He appreciated tlje extraordinary loyalty displayed by members throughout the country. After all, the real test of whether a Party was weak or etrong was when it was defeated at the polls, [t was said with much truth that it was characteristic of the British people that they showed their best when things were not going well. That was so in politics just as in war. Never were members more interested in the welfare of the Party or more ready to get behind it and see that its candidates got a good run at the next election.

From tho time of the Party's defeat at the polls there had been solidarity and unanimity on the part of Reform members, both inside and outside Parliament. Xt was true that the Party had lost one member. There was a question of principle, and if a member did not believe in what the Party subscribed to, then it was better for that member, and everyone concerned, that he follow where his inclinations led him. "I am satisfied." adaed Mr Coaves, "that we are startine the next campaign leading up to the next General Election more united, more compact, with greater respect for one. another and greater confidence in one another, with more lovalty to our Party, and more realisation of our responsibilities and duty to the Partv and to one another than ever before. A reverse such as we suffered at tho polls m 1923 has at least this one good result: it enables us to know who are our real friends."

IDEAL REALISED.

CLUB ROOMS OPENED

[THE PRESS Special Sarvlce.]

"WELLINGTON, November 13.

Months of hard work, organisation, arid enthusiasm in establishing the r Reform Club, at the corner of Featherston and Panama streets, were rewarded this afternoon, when the'-premises, with comfortable and roomy appointments, were" officially, opened by the. Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J, G. Coates. There was a large attendance of both men and women, oyer which the chairman of the foundation committee, Mr H. F. Johnstone, K.C., presided. Following an inspection of the club, members and their guests were entertained at afternoon tea,, after which brief addresses were given by Mr Johnstone and Mr Coates. '' This club will provide the means by which wo can meet and discuss intimately those important cjuestions that affect ua individually," said Mr Coates. "From this club declarations can be made that represent the views of the Reform Party, view? which we thln,k in the best interests of tho country as a whole, and not in the interests of any particular section of the community. I know something of the difficulties that have been encountered, and of all the preliminary work which has been involved in materialising the dream of those who set out some eight or nine months ago to provide the Wellington Reform Party with this home. The founders, I know, have in mind the best traditions for the club- to live up to. Those traditions cannot be formed in a day, but take a number of years to cultivate. We know of the traditions behind the great political club? at Home, and wo do know thfct. such clubs have done more than other organisations in the shaping of frablie opinion. On behalf of the Reform Party as a whole, and of the Wellington Reform League in particular, I wish to thank and to congratulate the founders of the club. I wish them And the club every success in the future. At all times members of the Reform J?arty in Parliament will be pleased to give their services, and lend their weight to anything that the club thinks worthy of promoting." A Reform Characteristic. Mr Coates said the present occasion gave him an opportunity of drawing; attention to an important characteristic of tho Reform Party, namely, that it was not the Party of any one class or section. The Party drew its members and supporters and drew • them fairly equally from all classes and all .sections of the people. "Of course," he said, "we recognise that the prosperity of the community, as a whole, depends in the last analysis always upon the welfare and prosperity of the farmers, and other primary producers, and the Reform Party therefore gives its first attention to the needs gt the primary producers, but subject to this wc, of the Reform Party, do endeavour to give a square deal to all classes alike, Perhaps we should sometimes score a Party advantage if wo were willing like some other Parties to take a narrower outlook, but whether or not it pays us in the political Sentiet we of the' Reform Party are determined not to cater for class or sectional interests. We stand for all New Zealand, for the people of New Zealand as a whole." A Meeting Ground. ■ The Party, Mr Coates continued, had members and supporters representing all classes and alj sections of the community, In the club, for instance, there would never be any suggestion of class distinction. One of the most useful purposes the club could serve was that of providing a eommoti meeting ground for members of the Party in all classes of society, and also a meeting ground for the younger and elder membera of the Party, The JSarty'a constitution was wide and open, and offered something for every section of the community. In the club he hoped to see employee and employer• discussing poll., tical and economic problems on an absolutely equal footing, and the one discussing the difficulties surrounding tho case of the other. '<lii this elub," re- ■