"A VITAL FORCE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 17 September 1929, Page 10

"A VITAL FORCE."

REFORM PARTY ACTIVE.

READY FOR AN ELECTION. EXPANSION OF ORGANISATION. TACTICS GF GOVERNMENT. "We are not out to create chaos in the country, but when tho election comes wo will be ready—any time we are called upon," said tho Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in concluding his speech at tho opening of the now Political Reform League rooms. in Auckland yesterday. After attacking in the strongest terms the Government's interference with main highway finance and its attempts to malign the late Administration, Mr. Coates declared that tho new Reform organisation was making rapid progress throughout the country. There would be a determined attempt to carry the Reform banner to» victory whon the time came. Tho same noto was struck by two Reform members of Parliament, Messrs. A. M. Samuel and A. Harris, in speeches at a social gathering later. Both referred to the uncertainty of the time of the next election and spoke confidently of tho Reform Party's readiness for another trial of strength. Highways Fund Raid.

Mr. Coates opened his remarks with a brief reference to the "truco" that had boen informally agreed to in the short session in order that the Government might have an'opportunity to give legislative effect to its election pledgos. Tho chief result, ho said, had been a 'series of attacks on tho Roform Administration's record. In particular, the Government had attempted to put upon Reform tho blame for tho £577,000 deficit. The answer to this was that tho deficit was more than offset by the £2,200,000 of surpluses which Reform had accumulated during its term of office. The new and increased taxation proposed in the Budget was in no way necessary to make good the deficit. Of tho taxation proposals, the increase in primage duty was specially objectionable, because it took no account of capacity to pay. "The Main Highways Act is being practically destroyed—ripped up and thrown into tho wastcpaper-basket," said Mr. Coates. "It has been said that tho Crown Law Office has given an interpretation of tho Act that upholds the Government. I say that the only way to interpret tho Act is in Parliament, through the representatives of the people. We havo in tho Main Highways Board a fine body doing excellent work, and no Government has a right to interfere with its finances."

Under tho board's control subsidies to local authorities for road construction and maintenance had steadily risen from 10s in the pound to £3, £4 and £5, and, in the case of certain Government roads, tho board paid tho whole cost of the work. The board's progress had been most encouraging to the man on tho land; it had reached a point at which there was some hopo of reducing his heavy burden of local rates. Nrw tho Government proposed to load up tho Main Highways Account with an accumulation of charges that it had never been intended to bear. Series ol Personal Attacks.

"Wo found it our duty to bring forward an amendment in tho Budget debate," added Mr. Coates. "It was defeated, but wo aro absolutely convinced —and lam suro you will agree—that it was the right thuig and the only thing for us to do in tho interests of the people. (Applause.) "Wo have given tho Government an opportunity to develop its policy, but it has simply been trying to malign the former leader and the men who occupied the Government benches with him. There are tho loan charges, the North Auckland Main Trunk, tho Taupo Railway, the Palmerston North deviation and the railway workshop. However, wo havo not finished with them, and before wo do the country will understand all about it. We have a fairly good grip of the position." (Applause.) The Reform Party had a history, and one' that wOuld bo long remembered, but it also aimed at meeting modern and changing requirements with well-thought-out. proposals. Had tho party been returned to power tho present year would have seen its policy for developing idle lands put into effect. Reform Forces Rallying.

During the past few months tho party had been working quietly and effectively all over New Zealand. He would like to congratulate the Auckland organisation on what it had accomplished It had resuscitated and rejuvenated what would soon bo a comprehensive and far-reaching organisation Work was going on actively elsewhere Tho five electorates south of Waitomo had appointed an organiser. The three Hawke's Bay electorates wero getting together and wero determined to make a fight. Tho samo was true of Wairarapa, Pahiatua and Masterton Otago and Capterbury had made a marked forward movement. Everywhere thero was a definite and' determined effort to ensure that Reform carried its bannei to victory when ,the timo came. (Applause.) Tho recent conference in Wellington had been an incentive and an inspiration to all present—and there had beon 60 dolegates from Auckland. Ho was suro that whaf. was being done here would bring a force and accretion of strength never bofore seen in this part of New Zealand.

. Speaking Jater to a large gathering in tho Lewis Eady Hall afc afternoon tea, Mr. Coatea remarked that the Reform Party's motto was "Equal opportunities •for nil." It - felt a specialduty to thoso who thought that the hand of fate was against them, but its representatives in Parliament could not reach out and help siuch people unless they got into touch with them. Ho would appeal to Reform supporters for aid in this matter. "There are lots of these people, sound and good as gold at. heart, but we just haven't got to know Them," ho added. ' United "Smoke-Screen,"

Mr. A. M Samuel, M.P., in a short speech, said tho Government's hostile criticism of Reform wa3 merely a smokoscreen thrown up to hido lack of performance and failure to keep election pledges. Ho was sure that tho electors who had merely wished to reduce tho lato Government's majority at the general election wero now profoundly sorry, and were only waiting for an opportunity to undo: the wrong they had done Once tho people realised how tho Ward Government had failed, .the result of tho contest would never bo in doubt.

Mr. A. Harris, M.P., said the party was a real and vital forqe. The Government's stock had gone down to Jieroi No more threats of a general eloction were coming from the Government benches. The prevalent kind of talk was, "Get behind the Government, becauso there is no chance of a general election. Parliament is going to run its full course.'*