EEFORM PARTY

Southland Times, Issue 20487, 15 May 1928, Page 9

EEFORM PARTY

THE COMING ELECTION. PREMIER CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. IMPORTANT QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, May 14. Appreciation of the statesmanlike qualities of the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates) and continued confidence in him and his colleagues were expressed at a meeting of supporters of the Reform Party on Saturday evening. Mr Coates addressed the meeting on some outstanding political questions of the moment. The responsibility and attitude of the Government in connection with the Samoan trouble was the first subject dealt with and after fully explaining the position Mr Coates expressed the conviction that the measures taken by the Government would lead to a satisfactory settlement of the present difficulties. The Government’s policy in connection with naval defence leading to the provision of two cruisers in New Zealand waters and a substantial contribution to the construction of the Singapore Base was also explained. Dealing with finance, the Prime Minister expressed gratification at the highly successful flotation of the recent loan of £5,000,000 on the London market. Referring to the platform placed before the country in 1925, he claimed that the Government had given effect to the leading planks during the two years it had been in office. In connection with unemployment, Mr Coates stated the Government yielded to none in its desire to find a solution of this difficult problem, and outlined his ideas for a proper classification of those finding difficulty in obtaining work with a view to placing them in employment suitable to their capabilities. It was the Government’s intention to continue its vigorous policy in connection with the development of essential public works such as reading and the completion of the railway works now in course of construction as well as various hydroelectric schemes. Mr Coates made a humorous reference to the diverse character of the elements comprising certain parties opposed to the Government. He felt sure that when the Government faced the electors at the end of the year the Reform Party would be found to be as solidly united as ever, and that the Government would be returned with a stable majority .<fhich was essential to the administration of the country’s affairs. The meeting pledged itself to further the support of the Government at the forthcoming General Election.