MR. COATES' SPEECH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 13

MR. COATES' SPEECH.

CHANGE OF OPINION. EVIDENCE IN COMMITTEE. NECESSITY FOR ACTION. TACKLING COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON", Friday. "Tlic task for tlie new Government is a clear and definite one, but not a pleasant ono to carry out. In fact, it will bo a disagreeable duty, but it will, we believe, lead to the economic stability and the rehabilitation of tlio country," declared tho Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, in explaining to the House of Representatives to day bis party's viewpoint in joining Mr. Forbes in a common effort to tackle tho financial problem of the Dominion. Mr. Coates said he felt the responsibility rested upon his shoulders to point out to members and tho country that the moment tho Economy Committee met to discuss financial and economic matters proceedings became of a highly confidential nature on account of the evidence given. To have discussed that evidence in public would have been to the detriment of the country. Mr. J. McCombs (Labour— Lyttelton) : We beard nothing we didn't know before. Mr. Coates: There were matters raised which the lion, member himself, in the public interests, would not mention. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour— Napier): Why this warning? Mr. Coates said much of the evidence placed before the committee was confidential. Mr. Langstone: It was not worth a tin of fish. " , , , Mr. Coates said Mr. McCombs had made somo garbled statements as to the proposals of the Reform Party group, but he had overlooked the fact that Reform members had asked what would be tho effect of certain proposals if adopted. Mr. McCombs: I simply said you put forward proposals. Alleged Secret Meetings. Referring to tho allegation that Reform members had been meeting secretly with the Prime Minister, Mr. Loatcs said the Reform group had discussed for hours tho question of how far it was possible to design a policy likely to help the count "Wo felt we were'reaching a deadlock," Mr. Coates said. "Tho Prime Minister was rung up and asked whether it would be possible for us to see him in order to discuss the situation." Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour—Auckland Central): Why was the Labour Party left out ? Mr. Coates: I have seen members of the Labour Party individually and discussed the question with them. My group desired we should meet tho Prime Minister and his group for the purposo of discussion. Mr. Barnard: What about the Independents ? Mr. Coates: That was a matter for tho Prime Minister. An endeavour was made to bring about some understanding which at least would enable an agreement upon a common policy. Nothing was discussed at that meeting which was not discussed next day before the committee. Every bit of information given at that meeting was placed at the disposal of the committee. Reference has been made to wasting time, and I want to say that time after time the member for Dunedin West, the member for Mid-Canterbury and myself asked that we should get on, but there were excuses made. A Voice: What excuses ? Mr. Coates: There were excuses made on more than one occasion. Mr. McCombs: Fusion excuses. Nature of the Evidence. Mr. Coates: The question of amalgamation or of a National Government was never discussed on any of those occasions. That question did crop up before the committee, but at the meeting the hon. member referred to. It- was only when an apparent deadlock had been reached that the matter was raised. I, as leader of the Reform Party, am opposed and have been opposed to anything in the form of fusion or coalition. My statements were clear, but tho nature of tho evidence placed before (he committee was enough for any man to be concerned about the immediate welfare of this country unless the problems were tackled immediately. Those problems must be tackled with determination and absolute fairness to every citizen of the country and on a policy or programme calculated to bring about stability and confidence, and I hope rehabilitation. "Jt. is only from a strong sense of public duty," continued Mr. Coates, "that j have asked inv supporters and candidates—and they are behind me to a man—to carry through a programme of legislation, the nature of which has been discussed with members of rny party and with the Prime Minister and his group, and there is general agreement." Labour Members: What about us? Mr. Coates: There is general agreement as to the necessity for action being taken without further delay. If we fail to take that action, we shall be neglecting our duty to the people of the country.

Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South): Another secret policy. Mr. Coatcs: The group was asked if it were possible to form a National Government. The Leader of the Labour Party refused, and from his point of view rightly so, to conio in and give effect to a programme. A Labour Member: Oh, I say! Mr. Coates: Perhaps I stated it wrongly. He did not favour a National Government. Mr. Parry: You didn't, either. Mr. Coates: I am sure I am not misrepresenting the Leader of (ho Labour Party when J say that he did not agree with the proposals of the Reform Parly as fur as they may ensure rehabilitation. It must be remembered this arrangement is a combination which does not destroy either parly. Since it cannot _be a national arrangement, it is a coalition for the purpose of passing legislation that both parties deem essential in the interests of the country. Mr. Coates added the situation was a serious one both from the budgetary and economic points of view. Later on statements would bo prepared showing the position in all phases. He appealed to the House to possess itself in patience until the final arrangements were completed, when the fullest information would be given upon the reasons for the Coalition Government. Mr. Coates concluded that Labour members seemed to overlook the fact that there were thousands of citizens only too anxious to get work. It was hoped to make the basis of the policy such that the position would improve, otherwise he would not bo justified in asking members of his party to join with another party in tackling the very ditficult situation. THE WAR COALITION. TRUCE FOR FOUR YEARS. MINISTRY OF THIRTEEN. The decision to form a Coalition Government in New Zealand recalls the precedent of the war years, when the Reform and Liberal forces coalesced under the Prime Ministership of Mr. Massey, who had as his Minister of Finance Sir Joseph \\ aid, Leader of tho Liberal Party. Hie announcement of the formation of the National Cabinet was made on August 5, 1915. However, negotiations to that end had been in progress for several weeks, and at ono stage it seemed likely that the end in view would not be achieved. Announcing the decision in the House of Representatives, Mr. Massey, who had become Prime Minister Unco years before, said a week previously it had seemed that the negotiations had ended without result. At that stage tho Governor, Lord Liverpool, animated by a wide Imperial spirit and acting quito constitutionally, with the consent of the leaders of both parties, had convened a conference, at which a basis on which negotiations could continue had been reached. Mr. Massey said that, under ordinary circumstances, he would have advised his party to oarry on. But the circumstances then being experienced were not ordinary. The Empire was passing through the most serious crisis of its history, and Mr. Massey thought members of Parliament would agree that it was impossible for a Government with a slender majority to do all tho business required to enable the Dominion to do its part in the war. That was the only reason for the formation of a National Government. The personnel of the National Ministry was announced on August 6. There were 13 Ministers, seven being Reformers and six Liberals. The personnel of tho Cabinet was as follows: —Mr. Massey, Prime Minister and Minister of Lands and Labour; Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance and Postmaster-General; Mr. J. Allen, Minister of Defence; Dr. R. McNab, Minister of Justice and Marine; Mr. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs and Health; Mr. W. 11. Herries, Minister of Railways and Native Affairs; Mr. A. M. Myers, Minister of Customs and Munitions; Mr. A. L. Herdman, AttorneyGeneral; Mr. W. I). S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture and Mines; Mr. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works; Mr. J. A. Ilanan, Minister of Education; Sir Francis Bell, Leader of the Legislative Council; Dr. M. Poinarc, Minister representing (he Native Race and Minister in charge of the Cook Islands. Tho National Government lasted for four years, and during that period Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward attended meetings of the. War Cabinet in London in 1917 and 1918, and later attended the TVaco Conference at Versailles in June, 1919. The death of Dr. McNab in 1917 and the resignation of Mr. Herdman in 1918 created vacancies which were, filled by the appointments of Mr. T. M. Wilford and Mr. 1). H. Guthrie to the Cabinet. The long party armistice was ended shortly after the return of New Zealand's delegates from the Peace Conference. On August 21, J919, Sir Joseph Ward tendered his resignation, with the explanation that, since the peace treaty had been signed and the object for which the National Government had been formed had been achieved, the truce was no longer necessary and he could no longer remain in a Government which had been formed for war purposes only. Tho resignations of his Liberal colleagues were tendered a few days later. A general election would normally have been held toward the end of 1917, but the life of Parliament was extended on two occasions, and ultimately the dissolution took place on November 30, 1919. As a result of the ensuing election the Reform Party was returned.