REFORM PARTY'S POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 12

REFORM PARTY'S POLICY.

ATTACK BY THE P.P.A. CRITICISM OF < LEADERSHIP. OBJECTION TO LEGISLATION. " ISSUE SIMPLY POLITICAL." An attack on the Reform Party has been made by the Protestant Political Association in a circular which it has, forwarded to members of the party. The criticism has been replied to in another circular issued by tho Reform League's Dominion Secretary, Mr. E. A. James.

At the outset of its circular to Reform members, tho P.P.A. claims that during the past ten years it has assisted to return members of the Reform Party to Parliament at heavy cost of money, time and effort. "There are members of tho party who were first brought into political life by this association," states the circular. 11 You are aware that there is general dissatisfaction with the party and its leadership. "Tho fact that at least two other political parties are in process of formation with influential backing is significant. Wo have been impressed by tho number of individuals who have been supporters of the association and also of the Reform Party for years who have firmly declined to contribute to ilie funds of the association as they have done unless an express guarantee is given that the association will not support tho Reform Party under its present leader. Reasons for Dissatisfaction. "It would be no difficult task to set out at length the reasons for our dissatisfaction. The Reform Party was elected as an anti-Socialist party. Our association carries on a constant propaganda against Socialism, but the Reform Party has enacted legislation, e.g.. bus legislation, which tho socialists could not have excelled. This legislation has prejudicially affected and antagonised the great middle class, and has had a serious effect throughout our membership. You will know how the farming industry view this and other legislation which affects them.

"Our organisation has no connection with organisations such as the New Zealand Alliance or the Bible in Schools League. We do not, therefore, refer to the association, but to the general opinion, when we state that the present leader is believed to have no sympathy with moral and social reform, and that, because of this, a large section of the community has lost faith in him and in his Government. As an association we are convinced that the leader of the Reform Party, unlike his honoured predecessor, if not openly antagonistic, is passively hostile. There is no opportunity under his leadership of securing the reforms for which we stand, because the members of his party, although in the main pledged to our platform, refuse to take the initiative or to assert themselves in the caucus. Rather, during tho last session a further concession to the anti-National Roman Secondary Schools was enacted, granting free passes to and from school in holiday time. The members of the party voted for that concession. Men in Public Service. "Further, tho present Cabinet includes members who make no secret of their hostility to the association, its objects and leaders. As a political organisation, we view with increasing concern the number of Romanists who are being appointed to important positions under tho Reform Government, as well as the fact that the entrants into the Public Service are, wo believe, in an undue proportion Romanists. Wo desire assurance from you, as a member of the Reform Party, that the grievances as to policy and administration will bo remedied. It will, however, be apparent to you that, failing some definite proposal or assurances, the association will be forced to frame a policy calculated to better serve the interests which its aim is to maintain. A copy of this letter is being addressed to almost every member of ycur party." In replying to this in a circular to members of the Reform League, Mr. E. A. James says it exhibits such a pronounced bias against the Prime Minister that he feels it necessary to address them on the subject. "Of late months," lie says, "a pronounced set has been mado against Mr. Coates by our political opponents. and by tho organiser of the socalled United party, who, after deserting the Reform Party, with whom he had no legitimate cause for grievance, openly avowed his intention of forcing the heads of'the Reform organisation out of political life." " Campaign, of Slander." Mr. James says he is not aware how far those prohibitionists who are working against the Reform Party are responsible for the campaign of slander against Mr. Coates, but he is convinced that if they and the United Party are successful in their attempt to make Mr. Coates' continuance in office impossible they will administer the severest blow to the Reform cause that it is possible for any political party to inflict upon another, and will succeed in handing the Government of the country over to the Red Fed element, which they declare they are so anxious to keep out of office. He characterises the P.P.A. circular as a most mischievous document intended to breed suspicion and bring about disruption in the ranks of the Reform Party. Tho claim of the P.P.A. to have assisted to return members of the Reform Party is seriously discounted by the action of the association in helping to discredit and defeat Reform candidates. Trend of Legislation.

In reference to the alleged socialistic trend of the Reform Party's legislation, the claim that the party was elected as an anti-Socialist party and tho claim that the P. P. A. carries on constant propaganda against Socialism and Communism, Mr. says that neither statement is strictly in accordance with fact. It is generally admitted that it was the "Coates Wave" that brought tlio Reform Party back to power in 1925 with such a big majority. On the subject of the allegation that "last session a further concession to the anti-national Roman Catholic schools was enacted, giving free railway passes to and from tho schools in holiday" time," and that members of the Reform Party voted for the concession, Mr. James points out that no vote was taken upon the subject and that the substituted regulation simply extends to certain. students and scholars not in receipt of any salary tho privilege of travelling at vacation times at half holiday excursion fares if undor 12 and at holiday excursion fare if over that age. Speaking at a meeting of the Protestant Political Association in the Town Hall last evening the Rev. Howard Elliott said that while the letter from the association contained some references to Mr. Coates, he wished to make- it clear that there was no intention of attacking Mr. Coates on personal grounds. He ;had written to Mr. Coates stating that so far as his personal affairs*were concerned, I tho association had nothing against him. I The issue was simply on political grounds.