REFORM GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20112, 24 November 1928, Page 14

REFORM GOVERNMENT.

LONG PERIOD IN OFFICE.

HISTORY OF THE PARTY.

EBB AND FLOW OF FORTUNE. Apart from its legislative achievements the* long tenure of office of the Reform Party entitles it to a foremost place in the political history of New Zealand. Its record of 16 years and four months is eclipsed only by the tenure of tho Liberal administration which was inaugurated by John Ballance in 1891, and which remained in office under Richard John Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon Thomas Mackenzie until July. 1912. The previous record was held hy the Conservatives under Sir Harry Atkinson and other leaders, who earned for themselves the title of the ' continuous Ministry" by retaining possession of the Treasury benches fro it 1876 to 1890.

The Reform Party is the descendant of tho Conservatives who passed into tho shade of Opposition when Ballance won tho election of 1890 and displaced Sir Harry Atkinson s Government in Jantiuary of tho following year. Ballance did not reign for very long, for ho died on April 27, 1893. Ho was succeeded by tho masterful Seddon, who won a trial of strength for the leadership of tho Gov eminent against Sir Robert Stout. 'I he fortunes of tho Opposition ebbed and flowed under tho direction of Captain Russell and it was not until the late Mr. Massey, then Whip ot tho party, was appointed leader in 1903 that it commenced to show signs of renewed vigour. Adoption of Title "Reform."

Ono of Mr. Massey's first acts was to dissociate the Opposition in the minds of the public from any connection with the old "Tories" and "Conservatives," a move in keeping with the more progressive thought of the diy % The title "Reform" was chosen as having direct application to the belief of the Opposition that there were many things m the administration of the Government which were in need of attention, and the name also had behind i* English precedent. Tho change ./as made in the recess before the Parliament of 1904, but the party found a little over a year afterwards that the electors were not disposed to treat it as well as might be desired. The year 1905 saw tho "Young Liberals," Taylor, Bedford, Fisher and Lauren so n, provide Mr. Seddon with the ammunition for his famous "voucher" election. Mr. Massey and the official Opposition dissociated themselves from the attack which these ardent left-wing members were making on Seddon, but the public was not in a mood to apportion blame. Uiey sent Mr. Seddon back to Parliament with a record majority, 62 of the members being pledged tr support him.

The Death of Seddon. Mr. Seddon did not live to meet the House with his large party, and with his death on June 10, 1906, while on his way back to New Zealand from Australia, began the decline which ended in tho fall of the Liberals. Notwithstanding their meagre numbers in tho House, the Reform Party set to, and at the election in 1911, they drew almost level with the Liberal Party, which was then under the leadership of Sir Joseph Ward. The Government was saved from defeat by the casting-vote of the Speaker in February. 1912. Stating his belief that the Liberal Party could be held together if he made way for someone else as leader, Sir Joseph Ward resigned and he was succeeded by the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie wliose Ministry was ironically referred to as the " top-hat ministry," the " hundred days ministry " and also as tho " ten minutes ministry." Mr. Mackenzie brought his Government before Parliament in August, 1912, and he was immediately faced with a no-confidenco amendment moved by Mr. Massey on behalf of the Reform Party. 'I he debate was long and, at times, bitter, ending in tho carrying of the amendment by 41 votes to 53. The long Liberal reign cf 22 years had come to nil end.

First Reform Ministry. Tho first Reform Ministry was sworn in on July 10. its members being tho late Mr. Massey, Mr. Allen, now Sir James Allen. Mr. llerries, afterwards Sir William llerries. and since deceased, Mr. leaser, afterwards Sir William Eraser and also deceased. Mr. A. f/. Herdman, now Mr. Justice Herdman, Mr. Bell, now Sir Francis Bell and leader of the Legislative Council; Mr. Rhodes, now Sir Heaton Rhodes, and a memher of tho Legislative Council: Mr Pomare, now Sir Maui Pomare, and Minister of Internal Affairs, and Mr. F. M. B Fisher, now in Eng land.

Mr Massey had a trying time during his first period of offico and when ho carno back from the election in 1914. held shortly after the war broke out, his major ity was very slender. For the better con duct of the affairs of the countrv during the crucial war years, party differences were dropped and a National Government composed of representatives of Reform and Liberal ruled until a break was made bv Sir .Jnsenh Ward, in 1919. At tho election at tho end of that year the Reform Party was a era in returned to office. The election is noteworthv now in that it was the first, in which Mr. Coates took r>art as a'Minister of the Crown. Mr. Massev having appointed him Minister of Public Works in September.

Difficult Post-war Period. The post-war period was difficult for the ""\v Zealand Government as for all other Governments, but Mr. Massev carried through and again recoivod tlio confidence of (ho country at the polls of 1922. Uo died on May, 10.. 1925, and Sir Francis Bell took charge until Mr. Coates, who was elected Lender of the Reform Party on Mav 27, became Prime Minister on Mav 30. After one session as Loader of the House. Mr. Coates had to face an election and ho was returned to power with members. Last week he was returned with a minority against the combined strength of the United and Labour Oppo "ition. both of these parties being pledged to vote liis flovernment out.