“FUSION ALL OFF”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVi, 30 October 1925, Page 5

“FUSION ALL OFF”

ST.VTKMKN'T BY MR ('OATHS APPEAL FOR RHFOR.M SUPPORT lUniied Press Assuciatiou.j FHILDI.NO. October 23 I'he Prime Alinisler (tin* lion. .1. G. Coates) addressed a very large ami enthusiastic meeting tonight, receiving a lousing greeting. I lie .Mayor (Mr thar--1 hew) presuled. Retelling to the fusion negeilialions, Mr tbitles detailed the negoliations and Hie meeting oi the "Higlit Fusilcers." Tito Liberals demanded immediate reconstruction, which he ei.-uld not agree to. there was no difference regarding policy. Fusion was now all off and the country was now asked to consider the points in the Reform manifesto. The Reform Party asked the electors to protect Rritish institutions which had been secured for them through centuries of i i niggie. He asked tor loyal support for the .Reform candidates. After replying to criticism of Hie Government's administration, and dealing with fimuteial matters on the lines ot previous speeches, Mr Coates said that it. was his firm conviction that there were heller days ahead in this country than they had ever previously experienced. (Applause.) Referring to taxation. Mr ( oates explained the necessity for bringing down expenditure during the slump to make the country’s trading account balance. This had been dene, and the credit in the trading balance was now 28 millions. He said that a State bank would hardly meet farmers' requirements. The mortgagee had done good work for this country bv loaning moneys to farmers for developWhen the matter was before .Parliament lie had justified the Government immigration policy, which was not affecting employment, and which was assisting the Mother Country in a difficult time by taking some of the surplus population. Alter reviewing the Government's social legislation policy, .Mr Coates reterred to the shipping strike, and amon asked where Mr Holland stood regarding it. NAPIER, This Day The Premier spoke yesterday both at Hastings and Napier. The good weather he has had lately followed him and he was interviewed at all stopping places. On the way here he found a lew hecklers hut carried the meeting with him, and as at Hastings, received an enthusiastic vote of confidence. WAIPUKURAU, This Day. The Premier, en route to Daiinevfrko. addressed several hundred people hero this morning. He was obviously suffering from voice strain. He was well received. LABOUR FOR TRIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS REE ETON, October 28. Mr Holland, Leader of the Labour Party .has returned to the Roller electorate. Replying to the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Mr Holland said that every member of Parliament was fully aware that Departmental reports were submitted to the Minister for approval before presentation to the House, and no Minister would permit a proposal for legislation to be included in such report unless lie approved the proposal. Furthermore. he challenged Mr Anderson to say that as Minister of Labour he was not in favour of the suggestion to reduce wages by 7s 6d a week to provide family allowances as outlined in the Labour Department’s report. Referring to Mr Coates's statement in favour of quinquennial Parliaments. Mr Holland said that it was as vicious as was the Government’s past policy making for tax reduction for the wealthy and wage reductions for workers. It would have been far more detrimental to the best interests of the people of the Dominion had the life of the expiring Parliament been for five years. The Labour Party stood unswervingly for triennial Parliaments, and it would offer the most determined resistance to the Reform Party’s proposal for five years’ life of Parliament.