PROTECTION OF DEMOCRACY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22137, 6 July 1937, Page 8

PROTECTION OF DEMOCRACY

MR COATES'S TO YOUTH

COMMENT OX THE LAB REGIME

"FREEDOM (.IMNG PUCE ft

REGIMENTATION"

ITHE PRESS Special Senrfec)

AUCKLAND, Jaty i

The need for unceasing in the protection of democracy emphasised by the Rt. Hoa.J.s Coates, in an address to the Jofe National League. It was the occasion on which Mr Coates ta given a political address since & last session of Parliament

"In war a sentry who skegg« his post is shot," said Mr Coates. "b the life of the nation the same 9at applies. New Zealand has graufe its present state under a system «T democracy and freedom and if« sleep at our posts and wake to ft those privileges filched from os» deserve our fate. Young peoffcfe. day have a responsibility to bob. tain democracy."

It was to the younger citizens fet the country had to look for it future leaders, Mr Coates <*»»*WMrt They could lead in industrial a well as political affairs, but a leadership men were needed via would stand four-square for ttt maintenance of freedom in ttoQOK and expression. There were certas leaders of industry who were area from giving full expression to ttar thoughts, because they did not «i&; to incur the displeasure of the f* ernment of the day, but their shies in fact, was a negation of leadodfe

Political Attitude Vndaitti

Mr Coates said he had freqoetiEfe been asked in recent months te state his own attitude to jutted events. His reply had always, bat that his attitude was unchanged. Be was enjoying a rest from the * sponsibiiities of office, but in Bpd»> ment and outside of it, his serrin would always be available in y porting ideals for which be stood. The conditions and political hetors which led to a change jbjwernment in 1935 were discussed Iff Mr Coates, who said he nadapr ti" les been asked if he wouklat. the same way again in a *»£**] depression. His answer wasTM. "Looking back in the light flf experience," Mr Coates continued, *« can see that some of the less pop** methods adopted during *b«dfli» sion could have been avowed, m that the full blast of necessay * justments could have been Kjddrwi No one likes to inflict hardsbipß, M | when national security and staMßg j are at stake and quick derisions ,m •. necessary, it is often impoasMet: avoid hurting someone."

Control of Finance

Mr Coates discussed the name in which the Labour Govanw* had gained absolute control «"* finance. The change in the coed*; tion of the Reserve Bank, **» meant the abolition of all mt guards, and to-day the bankqj** merely to assist the GtovenmMWj* carrying out its will. Sinutefc directors had been appointed to » Bank of New Zealand who were** conspicuously experienced in i g* trolling finance but who were ngff concerned especially in giving €■» to the Government policy. Mortgage Corporation, too, hattW" remodelled, so that the State #■£ antees replaced reserves. ters of finance the country no Wg enjoyed the freedom which » ■■ had in the past. _^ The logical outcome of tfie ernment's policy, Mr CoatesjWfr tinued, was the absolute «««*js of imports through the control « foreign exchange, the licensing « industry to a point where nWf polies would be inevitable, plete power over all matters [****' ing trade and commerce. A*re"£ freedom was giving place to o* regimentation of Socialism.