POLITICAL STABILITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17609, 27 October 1931, Page 6

POLITICAL STABILITY

ALLIANCE OF MODERATES SIR JAMES PARR’S VIEW One of the results of the decision of the United and Reform parties to go to the country this year as a Coalition has been the withdrawal by Sir James Parr of his candidature for. the Waikato seat. This action, and his reasons tor allowing the sitting member, Mr. I’.; Lye, to contest the seat without having to face Reform opposition, are j explained by Sir James Parr in a message which he has sent to Mr. John Allen, of Morrinsville, chairman of the Waikato Reform League. Sir James also expresses satisfaction at the decision of the Government. The message to Mr. Alien was as follows: “I send this telegram with deep regret, but my mind is clear as to what is tiio right course. “A few months ago I agreed to he your candidate. 1 then expected an election in September on the old party lines, but the whole position has changed. A few weeks ago the Coalition Government was formed. I now am satisfied it was inevitable, because the country’s affairs were, every month, going from bad to worse, and no single r party Cabinet was strong enough to do the right but difficult thing. “Only by a strong alliance of the - moderate parties could the country bo saved. Shortly afterwards I was asked by both leaders to lend a hand here. I accepted the leadership of the Legislative Council, reserving the right to resign and contest Waikato should the Coalition break up and an election fight between the United and Reform parties take place. But my forecast has failed. The two parties and the leaders have now decided to' go to the country as a Coalition. lam unable to quarrel with this decision. It is sound. "At this critical time we must, ahove all things, have political stability. This is the only way to get it. To break up the Coalition in order to have a dog-fight in every electorate between the two moderate parties is unthinkable. It will help only our opponents. I think we must keep 'together, until we get the country on its feet and on the . road to prosperity. “And the Government is entitled to know at onco whether the country approves its policy or desires the Coalition to make way for other rulers. I am sorry my ambition to represent my native district cannot yet be realised, but in another place the Waikato farmers will have a firm friend.” i 1