FATE OF COALITION

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 130, 29 November 1932, Page 8

FATE OF COALITION

MR. ATMOEE'S OPINION

"CANNOT LAST FOUR YEARS"

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTOST N., This Day

Addressing a crowded meeting in Palmerston North last evening, Mr. H. Atmore, Independent M.P. for Nelson, launched an attack on the National Government and predicted that it would not last the four years to which by special enactment' it was hoping to extend its life. He declared that public indignation was growing at a display of statesmanship which, instead of lifting the country out of its depression, was making the people's plight worse. In a message of apology for absence, the Mayor of Palmerston North (Mr. A. B. Mansford) said^ "I am firmly of opinion that_ the economic position of this Dominion calls for immediate action. Whatever scheme of action is put forward as a remedy must have as a foundation basis equality of sacrifice. It is the inequality of sacrifice to-day that is undermining our whole social structure, and' unless this feeling of iinrest and uncertainty is speedily arrested the result must be disastrous." RIGHTFUL INDIGNATION. Mr. Atmore declared that there was something radically wrong with the statesmanship of the world, and the people of the Dominion had a right to be indignant at the fact that there was poverty in the midst.of plenty.. The problem of production had been solved, but not that of unemployment, which was thwarting the ambition of the young, and it had to be remembered that the most valuable part of a nation was the welfare of its youth. How could jobs be found with the present policy of progressive deflation? The question of monetary reform, he said, should have been settled at Ottawa. Instead it had been shelved and a great opportunity had been lost. Nevertheless, the economic; depression could -be lifted to-morrow by wise statesmanship throughout the world. The Governments were thinking in terms of old economics. The only'way back to the old prosperity was to increase consumption by increasing the purchasing power of the people. The high exchange proposar was a child's way of tackling the problem. Instead of the purchasing power of the.people being decreased it should be increased so deal with the increased production. H|S PREDICTION. Mr.' Atmore advocated utilising the people's credit for the use of tie people, and the control, of credit by,a board which would keep the price level constant. There was nothing wrong with New Zealand except mismanagement.

"I predict that this Government cannot last four years," he. said amidst cheers and applause. "I predict that this •Government cannot last, no matter what measures it passes to extend its life. (Renewed applause.) The public indignation will grow more and more." Two motions were passed advocating monetary , reform and the immediate arrest of - progressive deflation, and calling on the Government-to. protect New Zealand shipping from American subsidised services. ____■ _!____