POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 29

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE

A SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE. CONFIDENCE IN MR COATES. WELLINGTON, August 23. Continued confidence in Mr Coates as Leader of the Reform Partv and in the Government as administration for New Zealand was affirmed at the fifth Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League, which has just concluded what is claimed to be the most successful gathering of its kind yet. held in the history of the Reform Party. The conference was opened on Wednesday, when over 130 delegates from all parts of the Dominion were in attendance. The Dominion secretary occupied the chair at the opening of the gathering to introduce the Prime Minister, who delivered the inaugural address. Mr Coates was repeatedly cheered throughout his remarks. The Minister of Finance (Mr IV. D. Stewart), the Minister of Lands (Mr A. D. M’Leod), the Minister of Agriculture (Mr O. J. Hawken), the Attorneygeneral, and the Minister of Defence (Mr h. J. Rolleston), the Minister of Health (Mr J. A. Young), and the Minister of Education (Mr R. A. Wright) also addressed the conference. The reports from the Dominion secretary and the organisers were of a very satisfactoi yy character, each of these officials being thanked for his services. A large number of remits was considered by the executive, some of which were sent on to the Dominion Executive for its consideration and action. The delegates wore entertained at afternoon tea on Wednesday afternoon by the local executive and at the Prime Minister’s residence this afternoon by Mrs Coates. Before the conference closed its members affirmed their continued confidence in Mi Coates as the leader of the partv, and in the Government, expressing their conviction that they would win through at the coming general election, and thus be enabled to continue the good work accomplished during the last three years. PLETHORA OF REFORM CANDIDATES. PRIME MINISTER’S WARNING. WELLINGTON, August 23. Ihe disastrous consequences of vote spatting were emphasised by the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) in his inaugural address before the fifth Dominion conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League. Mr Coates expressed the hope that where that risk was at present in evidence wiser counsels would prevail. “I appreciate the interest that has been shown by the representatives of the organisation from one end of the Dominion to the other,” said the Prime Minister in welcoming the delegates. “I think this meeting is an indication of the quickening interest that has been shown by those responsible for the maintenance in this country of our party. The organisation is, I should say, well forward. Ido not suggest it is perfect, but it is very keen—so keen, indeed, that a number of our best supporters are really a little inclined to think that their turn has arrived, and that thev should have the preference for contesting some of the constituencies. Probably that is a very healthy sign. It shows at any fate that they are keen and are anxious to otter their services now. While thev are excellent candidates, it would certainly make the lot of those responsible tor the organisation very much easier if they were not quite so keen, and in that connection I sincerely trust that wise counsels will prevail. We have to remember that in 1922 four Government seats were lost through vote-splitting. I hat was brought about by there being two candidates, each supporting the same paity contesting the same seat."