PRE-SESSION ADDRESS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 June 1927, Page 9

PRE-SESSION ADDRESS.

MR. COATES AND HIS PLEDGES. MR. HOLLAED' CRITICISES THE GOVERNMENT. (by telegraph—press association.) WESTPORT, June 17. In the course of a pre-sessional address ta;t SeddoiiViillo last evening, Mr. H. E. Hollard, Leader of the Opposition, predicted that the forthcoming se-ssion would be the moat- interesting of the present Parliament, inasmuch as it would test whether the Government intends to make any .serious endeavour to honour the promises which were lavishly given ,in the 1925 election campaign. Last session was blank in this respect. PersonlaLly he did not expect that there would he any great difference this year.

He intimated: that the. Opposition would challenge the Government's policy as .reflected. in the Prime Mjinister’s attitude affecting co-operative marketing of the Dominion’s primary products land the problem of unemployment. An uncompromising Opposition would also. oppose the Singapore base contribution.

Mr. Hollard devoted ia good deal of time to criticism of tihej Government for its failure to carry out necessary public works, .and ifis lethargy iin the matter of coal and timber importations. He expressed the opinion that because of .sharp divisions in the ranks of the Reform Party the Prime Minister would not find it possible to live up to his pre-election promises to the liquor trade. Mr. Coates’,s difficulty was that while he had committed himself in one direction, many members of hrs party had pledged themselves in .tire opposite way. This was undoubtedly the .reason why the Licen sing - Bill was jettisoned last .sei.sfi.ion. In. the ©vent e.f the P> ’’ being re-introduced this year, Mr. Hollard said that the Opposition would endeavour to .secure an amendment providing for voting in order of preference, while there were moire than two issues mi the ballot paper. This. would ensure an absolute majority decision.