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Otago Daily Times, Issue 19614, 19 October 1925, Page 10

A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —During the election of 1919, in common with tiic numerous readers of your journal, I read with interest and appreciation your articles which gave able and convincing expositions of the national benefits that the country wo\ild derive from tho coming together of the two main political parties (Itefovm and Liberal) and the establishment of a strong National Government. In order that this object might be achieved your powerful support was given to candidates win gave a g their reason for standing q,s Independents a desire to be free to act and vote to brinir nbout Buch a unity of ]>arties and the formation of a progressive Government composed of 'the best minds to be found in the amalgamated parties. As a result of the pledge given the Independents were elected. The creation may be asked here, What have they done to give effect to that pledge? This year, you have, with equal public spirit and copency, advocated the formation of a National Government, and in your critical examination of the objections raised by some Reform Party leaders to that national requirement you exposed clearly their weakness and pettiness from a public point of view. I cannot but think that in a large measure the responsibility for a National Government beinp: not now before the country is due to the intense miserable party feeling possessed by a few men in the Reform Party v/no are more anxions for the selfish interests of themselves and party than ,the common S">od- Mr Coates, the Prime Minister, and his candidates are asking to be returned to keep the present Reform Ministers in their positions. They are a weak team. A great number of electors are disappointed that no assurance has been fnven by Mr Coates in his election campaign that he would, if returned with a majority, reconstruct hi s Ministry or form a National Government from the ablest and most suitable members in the House. Had ho done so he would sweep the country.—l am. etc., . Cototss Fibst.