EVE OF ELECTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 283, 3 November 1925, Page 8

EVE OF ELECTION

PRIME MINISTER’S MESSAGE. / IMPORTANCE OF OCCASION. CHOICE FOR THE PEOPLE. GOVERNMENT’S DEFINITE POLICY. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. The Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates) to-night issued the following message to tno electors: — ‘•On the eve of the general election, I appeal with confidence to the electors to realise the importance of the duty tliey are called upon to fulfil on Wednesday. If they value the true position, I feel sure they will do the rigiit thing by the country. “ilio election is important, because the choice lies between sound and stable government, imbued with true Dritish ideals, and Socialistic or sectional government. Electors' desirous of the iormer must vote for candidates representing the party I have the honour to lead. Those who want a Socialistic Government must vote for tile Labour nominees. “Rut does any New Zealander desire to see New Zealand governed in the interest's of one section of the community, to the exclusion or neglect of all tno other sections 'i I trust not. “A few months ago, following on the death of my distinguished predecessor, the late Mr W. F. Massey, 1 was chosen as leader of the Government party. I am asking the people to endorse on Wednesday that selection.. “I have put my manifesto before the people in definite terms so that all should know my polic}’. That policy contains no fantastic proposals, or fanieful promises. I would not issue a manifesto which embraced promises which, in my judgment, could not be redeemed in the three years’ period which is the maximum life of a parliament. “This is a glorious country, with a wonderful future. The l>est country in the world, it deserves the best Government its people can give it. “An examination of the manifesto will reveal that I have outlined schemes for the development of the country’s resources, for the distinct improvement of the existing services and for the running of New Zealand on business lines. “Essential points from my policy are: Sound and prudent finance; A thorough examination into the incidence of taxation ; Closer settlement of occupied and unoccupied lands by purchase and sub-division; Extension of scientific agricultural education; Investigation into farmers’ land banks; The well-being of the State and the Empire; Support, of the League of Nations; Encouragement of secondary industries and the suppression of trusts; Selective immigration, and the organisation to be strengthened; More houses and fewer slums ; Increased compensation benefits, investigation of universal pension scheme and aid to parents with largo families; Modernised methods of education ; Extension of the public health policy; Establishment of local government boards; National safety and progressive development. “The closeness of the parties in the House after the elections of 1922 made the task of the Government in carrying on extremely difficult and certainly affected our legislation. “The best cannot bo expeqtcd from a Government, no matter how good it is in itself, unless it is given sufficient numerical strength to carry through the whole of its proposals. The electors will realise, therefore, that it is essential that the Government should have an adequate working majority if it is to do for New Zealand all that it considers ought to be done. “Remember that a vote for a candidate who says he thinks I should be Prime Minister, but who at the same time is opposing the Govcrnmnet candidate, might be a vote wasted. “There is no room in Parliament for men without decisive views. The country is entitled to know where every candidate stands. Every candidate who has nothing to conceal ought to declare himself. “To my comrades, the diggers, I say: “We arc going over the top on Wednesday and once again the fight is for New Zealand.’ “There is but one thing the people can do'if they desire that 1 should lead a Government and have an opportunity of putting my policy into operation. That one thing is to vote for tho candidates who will vote with me through thick and thin and who have pledged themselves to do so.”