POLITICAL ARENA

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1932, Page 10

POLITICAL ARENA

PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONS

THE TASK IN HAND.

■REVIEW BY ME COATES,

(Special to "Northern Advocate.") AUCKLAND, This Day.

“There appears to be much discussion and rumours of new parties and now organisations, and general criticism affecting the Government and its efforts to meet the difficulties of the times,” said the Rt. Hon. .1. G. Coates during his address at Pukckoho last evening, ’ • ■ ■

“Prior to the election, the Reform Party, as a result of close investigation into the position of the Dominion, felt its first duty was to place country before party. Wo entered into a partnership Government for the purpose of giving effect to the adjustments deemed by all sides to be necessary," and we asked for a- free hand to use our own judgment, in onr own way, to effect immediate and necessary changes, in order that the country might adjust its internal finances to the changed conditions. “There may be some who imagine that conditions have improved and that there is not the same necessity for combination and collective effort on the part of onr legislators. There are others who, from political considerations, advocate that the two parties should be welded. “Communications sent out at the time the Coalition was formed to candidates and all supporters of the Reform Party, set out in general terms the reasons for the necessity for political stability. These had not changed in any particular. The partnership was not entered for the purpose of forming one party. It was not entered into one day to be treated lightly thfc next. The partnership stood, and must, hold until those responsible for the conduct of the country’s affairs are satisfied that the conditions are such that consideration of political 1 rearrangements can be justified. Paramount Issue. “Party politics can only-be considered when we emerge from the performance of .the task we have set ourselves, ”he continued. “Then, and not until then, can we consider discussions, which, after all, are beside the point. Then one paramount and important consideration must be the correct and straightforward . handling of onr country’s affairs. This calls for unpleasant and thankless duties on the part of those responsible. “ All may not agree with our. methods. At the same time we have a plan. We are working on it and we intend to carry it through. Those who possess patriotism for their country, and particularly for its future, should not hesitate in assisting the Government, which is engrossed in the most difficult situation that has ever faced this or any other country. ‘ ‘ There is no easy way out, and no miracle can be performed. Wo must continue to meet, from day to day, emergencies as they arise. The test is surely that there are joint leaders and that there is equal representation in tlie Cabinet. Mr Forbes is Prime Minister, and as Prime Minister ho will get the support of the Reform Party to complete the work of rehabilitation.”