A FARMER'S VIEW

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 6

A FARMER'S VIEW

UNION PRESIDENT ON MR

COATES

WHAT IS HIS POLICY?

The prospects of the Hon. J. G. Coates being able to lead a political party successfully are discussed by Mr. ■W. J. Poison (President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union) in the current issue of "The Farmers' Weekly."

"It is probable," says Mr. Poison, ■'that the mantle will fall on Mr. Coates. Men rise to great responsibilities, and I believe the man who has shown convincing evidences of his ability in the administration of the greatest departments of the Slate will not fail his party when a still heavier burden is placed upon his shoulders. But no man, however large he may loom upon the political horizon, can long claim the public's support unless he is armed with a policy that will appeal to the electors of New Zealand. Has Mr. Coates sucli a policy? Is he a. big enough man to scrap the old party shibboleths and come down with a bold programme for legislation along material lines that will appeal to democratic men and women irrespective of party, and create confidence instead of confusion, loyalty instead of distrust, fraternity instead oi" discord ?

UNIMPOETANT DIFFERENCES. "If Mr. Coates is to bring this country back to the two-party system and get_ behind him all those people who, while, they may differ about many matters of minor policy, are yet definitely opposed to Socialism, he must heal the breach between the two great anti-So-cialistic groups in Parliament. After all, their differences are relatively unimportant in comparison with the great difference between the Marxian Socialist and the ordinary man. "Is Mr. Coates going to carry on the old three-cornered fight and go to the country uncompromisingly as the head of the Reform Party, or is he going to enunciate a policy that will put the. community on side and provide a means for the Liberal Party to link up with the forces of Reform in a National Party with a National programme ? "These are questions which are exercising the minds of the people just now, almost to tho exclusion of anything else, and while we as producers insist that our organisation shall be non-party, there can be no doubt that Socialism is absolutely opposed to the principles we support. Anything that will strengthen the resistance to tho spread and growth of such doctrines as are enunciated by the followers of so violent and extreme a Socialist as Mr Holland will be welcomed by the producers o£ New Zealand. Wo are as deeply interested as any section of the community in the decision which Mr Coates has to make. The Farmers' 1 Union is made up. of both Liberals and Reformers, and here is a matter upon winch they can unite. "I believe that the whole country will be profoundly disappointed if this great question is made subservient to the claims of individuals. . No politicians' demands for rewards must stand in the way of a National stock-taking. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. "Assuming that Mr. Coates can consolidate the moderate elements of the community, it would appear that he has a, great opportunity tiefore him A policy that will settle labour conditions expand agricultural production, give security to commerce, provide for a National system of immigration, and not neglect humanitarian legislation, is not only possible, but practicable. Let us wish him luck and hope that he will be able to make the opportunity serve the man!