Political background
Sir, —Sir Joseph Ward, Liberal leader, was defeated in 1919, marking the beginning of the Liberal Party decline and my first vote. In the 1922 election George Forbes spoke for an hour without mentioning the Labour third party. Questioned, he said it was of no importance as it “could never ever be the Government” Ward was re-elected in a by-election for Heretaunga to find the party in tatters. He added a few independents and changed the name to United, causing some amusement. His election bait was seventy millions to be borrowed which, surprisingly, brought him to power in 1928. A stroke ended his life and George Forbes could not cope. Then I met Arnold Nordmeyer’s organiser, who said there was no difference between Reform and Liberal and some day they would join to keep Labour out. They borrowed from third parties, though suppressing them. Example: social laws passed by Gordon Coates. That prediction came true. Labour and National are now so much alike, it could happen again. Labour had the last laugh that time. — Yours, etc., A. M. COATES. July 12, 1987.
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Press, 16 July 1987, Page 20
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184Political background Press, 16 July 1987, Page 20
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