“ Reform Off the Rails ”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 274, 9 February 1928, Page 10

“ Reform Off the Rails ”

UNITED PARTY’S COMMENT Meagre Outline of Policy EXCEPT that it is expected to provide a happy medium between the present Government and the policy of the Labour Party, and satisfy the desires of the anti-Coates faction throughout the Dominion, the people of Auckland know no more about the new United Political Party than they did yesterday, for little enlightenment was conveyed to them by the Leader of the Nationalist Party, Mr. G. W . Forbes, member for Hurunui, in the Town Hall last evening.

'M'O names were given to indicate who were to be the saviours of the political universe; nor was there an indication as to the policy that would be offered to an expectant people at the ballot box at the end of the current year. There was a fair attendance. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. Baildon, presided, though he carefully dissociated himself from any political faction. “I am neutral,” was his introductory explanation. Throughout the meeting there was convincing evidence that the sympathies of the big crowd turned, not in the direction of the present administration, nor yet in the direction of the happy medium which was being thrust upon them, but toward Labour as it stood. Mr. Forbes had this disconcertingly impressed upon him at certain stages of the meeting, which threatened to become rowdy on occasions. It was not till near the end of his address —after a well considered criticism of the Government and its administration in all spheres of public activity—that Mr. Forbes mentioned the new United Party. “We are not giving you policy to-night,” he said. “That is reserved for the time when we are appealing to the people at election time and • asking for their support in returning us to Parliament. We have not yet got to that stage. We have another session of Parliament to go before that happens—a session in which we hope the Government will get along and rehabilitate itself in the public mind. . . . We want a legislative rest. Never has there been such a volume of laws poured out as there has been lately. What this new party stands for is a minimum of law and a maximum respect for it. (Hear, hear.) The rights of the individual require to be protected. This organisation has been formed as an alternative to the present Government. We as Nationalists have to vote for the Government at present, though we do not approve its policy. The only other way is to vote for Labour. (Cries of “Yes, vote for Labour,” “Vote for Holland,” and loud and insistent applause.) WATCHING THE STATE “No doubt this would be a pleasing thing for some of the audience,” Mr. Forbes went on (applause), but I do not think that a transfer of the votes to Labour would be good for this country. I do not stand for State Socialism.” Voices; Oh, we do! Mr. Forbes: You have an example of Socialism in the running of your municipal trams. A Voice: Did not the Labour Party support the bus regulations? Mr. Forbes continued amid the greatest confusion, when several members of the audience were talking at once, each endeavouring to make himself heard:— “Before we scrap the administration we have got we have to see how it can be improved. (Cries of “Vote for Labour.”) If you are going to substitute State action for private enterprise, it will not be good for the country, and there will be no progress. (Applause.) The reason for the United Party being formed is that the votes will not be swung over to

the Labour Party. They will be able to carry on on definite constitutional lines. The vote of the State should be restricted, but we want to see that private enterprise does not overstep its bounds.” A Voice: Is Labour not constitutional? OFF THE RAILS Mr. Forbes: The Nationalist Party does not wish to take any party advantage of this situation, but the present Government had gone so far off the rails and has gone so far past Socialism itself (applause) that we think it should be restored to the rails again. “And we intend to restore it to the aeassKSKHOKaoKSKSKssKagiKasaoK;

rails with, a party which is to represent the earnest men and women of this country who are taking an interest in politics. If they do not take an interest in politics they deserve what they get. They will get bad Government, and they deserve it. I hope that before next election you will see us one of the strongest organisations in the country. I recognise that this is no time for little party differences, but for a broad national movement. (Applause and disorder, as several rose in the hall to have a say.) I want to give help to this movement because it is on right lines, and is going to stimulate the interest in politics that is required by this country.” The finish of the meeting was characterised by a disorderly vote on a motion favouring the party and an amendment. The motion, which was declared by the Mayor to be carried, thanked the speaker for his criticism of the Government, and welcomed the new party as the basis of a united political movement. The amendment scorned the support cf the people to any party that was not pledged to the repeal of the “cowardly Boy Conscription Act.”