DOMINION’S FUTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 6

DOMINION’S FUTURE

A GRAVE OCCASION. REFORM LEADER'S APPEAL. Per Press Association. DARGAVILLE. Dec. 1 Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates’s final app-.l to the electors is as follows: “This is the gravest occasion up which the electors have been called up to vote and I woultf finally appeal every loyal citizen to support the off. Coalition candidates-. The issue be: the constituencies is so simple ti. there is a danger of its vital sigmfban being overlooked, while apathy n • bring about unexpected results. ?. • every elector should realise is that 1. . vote will decide whether the Domini ; is to have a prudent national admii . tration, or the public affairs or ti country are to be handed over to a reactionary Socialistic Government. “This alternative means that VZealand is at the cross-roads, lead: _• cither to prosperity or ruination. C : ’didates who have not the endorse :.y - of the combined Reform and L r.hParties should be regarded as air - Coalitionists. Votes cast for self-style Independents will be equivalent to su; - port given to the Labour Party.

“This being so critical a time a’! persona! considerations and politic.! prejudices should be put on one : and all should be for State and r party. I accordingly appeal to eve r loval citizen to solidly_ support tire, official Coalition candidates, other wise it may mean that the result tithe elections will bring about irreparable disaster. “An intimate knowledge of public affairs convinces me that if the T.r - hour Party is returned to power, <?mplovment, trade and the people’s =ev. ings will be in real danger and ;!:=> country forced into repudiation find bankruptcy.

“It was the imminent danger of maintaining New Zealand’s credit and the deplorable state of unemployment amongst our workers that brought Mr Forbes and myself together to form the Coalition Government, and I am convinced that the Reform and United Parties -will loyally work together to bring about a renewal of confidence, a revival of trade, economic stability an t general rehabilitation leading again to prosperity. I face the grave issue confident that we will weather the financial depression, and I believe that New Zealand’s decision to-day will show what national unity means in surmounting our difficulties without inflicting further hardships upon the community.” MR COATES’S STRENUOUS TOUR. Per Press Association. DARGAVILLE, Dec. 1. To-day Mr Coates eclipsed all records for strenuous electoral campaigning. He started with an address at Hoanga, which was followed by a representative meeting at Awakino, where the gathering culminated in a free fight between the supporters of the rival candidates.

Then followed a tedious journey over backblock roads, rendered difficult to traverse after heavy rain, to the Aomarama Public Works camp. Here the Reform leader received an enihusiastio reception, but was delayed on the return journey on account of tiie deplorable state of the roads. As a consequence Air Coates only reached Dargaville in time to step on to the platform for his final rally. This proved a most heartening finale to a whirlwind and triumphant tour in which well over 4000 miles were covered in a fortnight’s campaign. Mr C-oates’s wonderful vitality lias been strained almost to breaking point, but he retains a most cheerful disposition and characteristic optimism. The announcement of the results of the Maori elections, which returned four Coalition candidates, was received with cheers.