Exit United Government

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 160, 2 April 1931, Page 11

Exit United Government

Sir Many people in Auckland are speculating as to how the people iu Wellington view the present political situation. Government by a sad minority, never before experienced in the political history of New Zealand, cannot fail io interest electors. That Mr. Forbes, with a following of 19. can carry on seems a puzzle. What is the use of so many parties if this is tolerated? The sooner that a general election takes place the better, and I can see in that election the rout of the Uni teds. I am sorry to say this, as I have consistently voted for the Liberal platform since 1893, when Richard John Seddon secured his first victory. However, having journeyed through New Zealand recently and touched electors of all kinds, I find the United Cabinet friendless. United members in both islands will lose their seats wholesale, not through their own fault, but because the present Ministers are disappointing. Wherever I went, from Auckland to Invercargill, I found that great numbers had voted for the Uniteds at last election, not on account of their platform, but Io place the veteran, Sir Joseph Ward, in power. People of all opinions told me that he was the one man to pull New Zealand through. Had he lived the present Ministers would have been schooled in political matters and forced into activity. Even United followers don’t know what portfolios Ministers hold. Many are not now contributing to the party’s funds, and they seem to have lost energy and hope. Organisers may pretend otherwise, but I can contradict them. There are always a few faithful followers everywhere. but these cannot win an election. Farmers, I found, object to the unemployment tax, and I met no farmer who had paid it. A prominent Liberal told me he would go to gaol first. —I am. etc., SLIM JIM. Auckland. March 81. 1931.