“GOOD WORK"

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12195, 21 July 1925, Page 5

“GOOD WORK"

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD “COME IN AND HEP US” PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL (By Telegraph.—“ Times” Special Reporter.) PALMERSTON NORTH, July 20. ‘ ‘Why should I ask to-night that you should come in behind us and help us?” queried the Hon. J. G. Coates, at a crowded meeting in the Opera House to-night. The Prime Minister proceeded to answer the question himself, by outlining the achievements of the - Reform Government. He said that the Reform policy would not be announced until after Parlia-

ment adjourned. The Government, Mir Coates said, had achieved Work of a very high nature, It had shown capacity. It had given the people of New Zealand opportunities, and it proceeded to give them still greater opportunities. It would' be well remembered tnat when the Government came into office a great question was whether we were

to have leasehold or freehold tenure. The Conakry said in no uncertain voice ft would have nothing but the freehold, Was that not worth having? It was here for all time, and never would be altered.

There,, were .those whp would nationalise the settlers! holdings and workers’ homes. ,How was that going to be done? He thought the people could see that if the wonderful “usehold” system came into operation 'the holdings of the settlers would be taken over at (government vkfhation, and the interests would be nationalised. Let them imagine the ‘ uaehold’ ’ inspector going into a house and reporting that, the tenant was not fit to continue in occupation because the bath was not clean. Any such scheme would ruin the country. > So far as' the public works were oonoerned, the matter that settled the policy of the Government was' the interest of the State. A plan in the national - interest was laid down, and that was adhered to. It used to be said that if a member of the right political colour were eent to Parliament the district would get what it wanted. He ciould say that to-day no district would gain or suffer according to the political faith of its member. The moment that was allowed to weigh, the right path was departed from. ' 1

“There were people who complained about our expenditure,” he continued, “but our hydro-electric undertakings soon would he returning us a very handsome revenue.” To-dav the Superannuation Fund was finally stabilised, and those oonoerned need have no fear of there not 'being enough funds to meet the demands. Pensions had been improved. The whole conntry was behind what had been done for the returned soldiers.

Big sums Were being spent on education, but this was money well-spent. In the future more, serious consideration must ha given to agricultural education. We had about 69 per cent, of our exports coming from the land, and yet nearly all onr education tended to fit men for city work. The Government had not been convervative in the' administration of the Postal Department. In regard to the Maori people, than whom none were more loyal, the Government had endeavoured to accomplish something in their behalf. No doubt those present would be looking for a policy statement from him that night, but to make such, a pronouncement was not his object. Later on, when the work of Parliament was completed, and the programme of the late Prime Minister was carried out,’ the Government would draft its, policy and ask the people to consider it on its merits, and to Bay whether the Government were the men to keep their word. If the people had confidence in the Government he thought the Government could deliver the goods. As far as he' personally was concerned, he wanted ho vote unless the people thought he,was trying to do his best.