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Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 123, 20 November 1935, Page 18

POINTS FOB, ME. COATES

MR. HISLOP INSISTENT

A FIVE-YEAR PARLIAMENT ?

j (Special to the "Evening Post.") EKETAHUNA, This Day. In an address to a crowded meeting at Eketahuna last evening, the Leader of the Democrat Party and candidate fop Masterton (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) returned to the attack on the question of the taking over of the goldfrom the banks by the Government. "I have asked Mr. Coates certain questions in regard to the gold that was taken by the Government from, the banks," said Mr. Hislop. "So far Mr. Coates has ignored my questions, but I do not intend to allow him to do this without drawing the attention of the people to the fact that Mr. Coates has not answered these questions. "Once again I will ask them, as I believe that the people are entitled to an answer. 1. Did the Government of Canada or any other country pay for gold taken in notes of a currency already depreciated by political pressure? 2. Is it not a fact that in every 'other country the gold taken from the banks, with the attendant profit, was handed to the central bank as security for their obligations to the public and their depositors, instead of being used in a large measure, as was done by Mr. Coates, to balance his Budget? 3. As a result of Mr. Coates's operations, what will the value of a Reserve Bank note be should England revert to the gold standard, which may occur at any time? "The last question was not an academic one to a debtor country like New Zealand, with heavy obligations to England. It was a very pressing one to the entire community and to local bodies which have loans and interest to pay in London. "The second point I wish to make is the fact that I believe it to be the intention of the Government to make this next Parliament a five-year Parliament. Mr. Coates has spoken strongly in. favour of an extended Parliamentary term, and the Government has persistently referred to the necessity', for long-range planning, and the fact that its policy proposals will take some time to.put into effect. Neither Mr. Forbes nor Mr. Coates have stated that they will not extend the life x>t Parliamen, and in view of their previous actions I do not think the public can place much reliance on their expressed intentions. It would be tragic for this country if we had to suffer the present Government until 1940, and I would warn electors that this is the possibility if the Nationalists are returned at the forthcoming elections." I