REFORM RALLY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 140, 15 June 1928, Page 6

REFORM RALLY

PRE-SESSIONAL ADDRESS "A PRO(JD RECORD" ACCOUNT OF STEWARDSHIP " A prc-scssional Reform rally at • which the Prime Minister, tho Minister of Education, and tho Minister of Justices were tho principal speakers attracted a crowded audience at the Town Hall last night. Mr. Coates spoke for more than an hour, chiefly (jiving an account of his stewardship as Prime Minister. Before the arrival of tho official party tho big audience indulged in community singing under tho leadership of Mr. W. J. Mason, while- organ items were rendered by Mr. Clem Kowo and selections were sung hy the Melody Four. Tho Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) presided. Amongst those on the platform were the Minister of Lands (the Hon. A. D. M'Lood), the Postmaster-General (the Hon. "W. Nosworthy), the Minister of Health '(tho Hon. J. A. Young), Sir Edward Newman/ M.L.C., Sir John Luke, M.P., Mr. \V. Field, M.P., Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P., and Mr. G. B. Sykes, M.P., and several ladies. The official party was escorted into the hall by two pipers, and the proceedings were opened with the singing of Elgar's '' Land of Hope and Glory.'' Tho Mayor said a number of apologies for absence had "been received. He was sure those present regarded the gathering as a very important one, one fraught with great possibilities. The Prime Minister was a man of greatpersonality, and his name was a household word in New Zealand. He was carrying a great burden, one that might break a weaker manj and he was sure that Mr. Coates would be given a sympathetic hearing. (Applause.) It was possible that they would hear something from the Prime Minister which would have a great bearing on,' and would possibly, settle, the next General'1 Election. (Loud applause.) CONFIDENCE NOT MISPLACED. The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates), who was given a rousing reception, including musical honours, expressed pleasure at the large attendance, and observed that it showed that there was evident interest in public affairs and' in tho coming General Election. He said he wanted to refer to tho policy and platform of 192 D, on wlfich he and his party" had been returned to office. He desired briefly to show that the stewardship: entrusted to them had not been misplaced, and that notwithstanding the two years of difficulty and depression with which the Government' had been faced immediately after the last election, their policy had been very largely translated into actuality, and that the Ship of State had been brought through the troublous seas on an oven keel. The policy of the late Mr. Massey, he said, was still being pursued. PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT. Tho basic and fundamental principles of good government—tho principles of the present Government —said the speaker, were the maintenance of law and order; the maintenance of justice and liberty; the preservation of property and the sanctity of religious beliefs; provision for free education and opportunity for all; and the promotion of tho welfare of the whole of tho community, and not any particular section of it. They claimed that those principles had been faithfully maintained. In support of this remark, ho detailed some of the outstanding principles for which tho Reform Party stood. They included free, secular, and compulsory education; free education from the primary schools to the universities; equal opportunity for all our citizens; and increased provision of assistance to the aged in order that in their declining years, after bearing the heat and burden of life's struggle, concern and anxiety shall be removed. The widow and her children had not been overlooked. Provision has also been made for epidemic pensions, pensions ■for the blind, miners' pensions, police pensions for those permanently disabled in execution of duty. The man or wom,an injured while carrying out their daily duties had received provision by the Government of the Day, and increas:ed benefits had been provided under the Workers' Compensation A«t. The soldier who had so largely helped to secure to us the right to govern ourselves had been looked after, and the dependants of those who suffered physically and mentally in the clash of arms' had been provided for. HELP FOE THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES. An interjector asked what th« Government had done for. the ex-soldiers who were walking the streets. Mr. Coates said he was very sorry for those men, and if they were prepared to get into it they would have tho hearty support of the Government and himself in particular. (Applause.) Proceeding, he said that tho parents of tho large family had been thought of, and the principle of giving equal opportunity to those who were doing their duty had been primarily emphasised by the Government. Other principles which had been given effect to were reform of the Civil Service and the establishment of Commissioner control; the right of every man to own his own home and farm, namely, the freehold; progress and forward development of the country; closer settlement where adaptable; a gradual but definite move to dividing land in order that rural population should.be increased, with the object of bringing into existence a nation of small prosperous land holders; always maintaining tho ■ policy- that every man who wishes shall have tho right to own his farm or home; and the maintenance of principles and ideals historically associated with the stock from which .we sprang. The Prime Minister dealt at some length with a number of the problems which have confronted the Government during the past three years, subjects which are reported under separate headings. A PROUD RECORD. In conclusion, he submitted that the Government's record had been a good and clean1 one, and that it could face the electors with a proud record of policy and performance. "I conclude," ho said, "by quoting the words used by me in 1925: 'We stand for stability and safety of tho State and tho Empire; for the security of the individual; for toleration and equal opportunity for all, and for order and peace in the com- ! munity.' " ANXIOUS TO SEEVE ALL ALIKE. The Minister' of Justice (the Hon. I\ J. Eolleston) said that'the Government was anxious to servo all parts of tho country, North and South, alike, and pointed out that all the members of Cabinet were New Zealanders. Referring to the defence question, he said New Zealand was contributing to tho Singapore Base, supporting aj Territorial force because sho was anxious to maintain peace, and preparedness was the greatest security against war. New Zealand was at.least doing her duty as a part of the Empire. He also instanced the Dominion's acceptance of the invitation from U.S.A. to co-operate with other nations in order to promote the peace of the world. Mr. Eolleston concluded with a plea for support for the Government at the coming election. The Ministor of Education (tho Hon. E. A. Wright) took advantage of 'the

opportunity of thanking the people of Wollington for the support they had given him during many years. Mr. Wright said it had been suggested that the personnel of Parliamejit was very mediocre, but the reason was not far to seek. There were many business men who would not come forward because of the criticism which they had to face. There was a place for the Opposition to fill. in the House, and it was always the aim of the Opposition to become the Government. That was all very well if the game was played according to the rules. But there was no room for. a slander party in the House, and no" party would ever gain the Treasury benches in Now Zealand by slandering its opponents. Eoforring to educational matters, the Minister said ho felt that there was room: for a business man at the head of the Department to fcteady things down, even if that business man was not a schqlar. A motion expressing thanks to the speakers and continued confidence in. the Beform Government, moved by Mr. M. F. Luckie and seconded by Mr. K. H. Boys, iviis carried nnanimousry.