THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Feilding Star, Volume 3, Issue 319, 21 July 1925, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER A CALL TO THE NATIONALISTS. On his first visit to Palmerston yesterday afternoon as Prime Minister, the .Hon. J. CL Coates, received nn enthusiastic welcome and was given a civic- reception of a most cordial nature. He was also greet- < ed by returned soldiers, and spoke at a Reform League rally in the « evening. ON FUSION NEGOTIATIONS. Referring to the fusion movement and its failure, he said: ”1 am pledged” to carry out the programme laid down by my predecessor, Mr Massey. That was the statement I made when I became Prime Minister, but .it is my earnest desire when that is completed to go to the country asking all who believe in a thoroughly business-like and national party to come in behind me with their support. It seems, remarkable to me that since T intimated that 1 c-ould not agree to a reconstruction of the Ministry, our erstwhile Liberal friends declared that the door was banged and barred. It is only fair to ask the reason fo r this sudden change of attitude ?” He thought the people could arrive at the answer as well us he | could. When the loaves ol office j were not available at once for distrir bution, that seemed to iorm quite a ’ sufficient reason to say the doer was i banged, bolted and barred. It piovod that the desire to amalgamate on veal national basis was only skin deep, and that the motives underlying the ’ negotiations were not ,- wholly of a disinterested character. ,f “It is well known,” continued the e Prime Minister, “that the policy of t the Government in the past 12 II years has been Liberal. We know if our farmer' friends have had a hard and difficult time, and no sot of. men g . ure more anxious to give relief toil night than we are. I am not at U liberty to discuss all our proposals, ■v but T will say wo realise tliei,- diffiK ‘ c ulties. With the Meat Board we U have got results. With the Butter

Pool we can quite easily get results. The door is not banged and bolted — far from it. It is wide open lor all those who believe in equal oppoitunity for nil to got behind us and help us to govern the country as we all want it governed. We want their goodwill and support in a policy that will have for its ideal prudent and economic administration, afioiding an opportunity to the individual who wants to make good.” “Tt is interesting to remember’ said Air Coates, “That this is not the first change of name that has been indulged in by Air Wilford m connection with Ibe party he leads. Some five years ago, you will remember, the name was made the National Progressive Liberal Party, and I think a fusion took place at that time, Iml it did not last long, and back they went to the LiberalLabour Party again. Are Air AVillord and lii.s party groping for support? Are they thinking that by the change of name from LiberalrLaboui to National they are going to help themselves? T think it is too late. There is no room, nor is there need, for two national parties in New Zealand, and the Loader rtf the Opposition has been already anticipated by my own declaration of faith, and that is nationalism in its broadest and best sense. The latest move on the part of Air AYilford seems to me to saviour of a lightning change artist. A party that.hears so many aliases cannot ultimately hope for the support of thinking people. 1 ask you to give the situation your careful consideration, and if you think I am the man to lead the party and Government of New Zealand, all I ask is that you give me a fair hearing and an opportunity, and nothing more.” •