YOUNG MEN IN POLITICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 14

YOUNG MEN IN POLITICS

SUPPORT FOR REFORM PARTY JUNIOR LEAGUE FORMED The interest which has been shown in the revived Reform Party was crystallised on Saturday evening when a Junior Reform League was formed in Auckland. The organisation was instituted officially by the Party Leader, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Young women, as well as men. showed their keenness to belong to the newly-formed branch. Mr. E. 11. Xortlicvoft presided. Ou tile platform with him were Messis. A. E. Mandev, Dominion secretary, and Mr. B. Gordon Edwards, organism. Mrs. Coates, who received a present of a handsome bouquet, was accompanied by Mrs. G. H. Wilson. The chairman explained that the desire to form a. Junior Reform League hacl been inspired by the young men themselves, a committee of whom had been working assiduously to get the organisation running smoothly. The object of the league was to enable those young people in sympathy with the Reform Party to assist it, not by a blind following, but by informing themselves ot political questions, satisfying themselves ot those worthy of support, and producing fresh and vigorous ideas for the party leaders. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leadei of the Opposition, congratulated those responsible for the organisation on the attendance. After referring to the attacks on Reform’s administration and the duty of the Opposition, Mr. Coates said that the Junior Reform League must not be considered as an auxiliary only. It was a. part and parcel of the i Reform organisation, and in a short time might become the important part of the organisation. Its functions were to help in the reconstruction of the Reform policy to make it fit in with modern times, and to assist in making converts, for which reason it should consist of every class of the community. It should he the training ground of the candidates of the very" near future. Dealing with the political situation generally, Mr. Coates stressed the endeavours of the Reform Party to serve every section of the community. All the efforts that had been made to find some weak point in the Reform Party’s doings had failed dismally. There was one thing in particular that the party had tried to live up to. All vested interests had been given a fair and square deal, hut the party had the people’s interests at heart above all, and had given fair consideration to every section of the community. It had done nothing discreditable in the past and was not asking for judgment now as the Opposition.

It might transpire that the change of Government was a good thing, as it gave a great opportunity of setting a fresh course. They could think out a new policy and bring the people into close touch with an active organisation, so a 3 to have a clear representation of the views of all classes. The party was busy now. Governments went into office with pledges and promises and it was the work of the Opposition to see that these were carried out to the letter. For good government, party government was essential.

It was necessary to have a welldefined programme before the country, with the keenest criticism on the part of the Opposition. Of recent years the trend of affairs in New Zealand had been leading toward the twoparty system, and it was found that by this the best administration had been achieved.

Mr. Mander explained the political attitude of Reform, and said the party aimed for progress in its literal sense —progress toward greater prosperity and contentment, and the welfare of the people. The preliminary committee which had performed the groundwork, was deputed to call a further meeting before November 30 for the purpose of electing officers. A debate was staged around the motion: —“That it is in the interests of New Zealand to have women in Parliament, Messrs. A. K. Turner and W. W. King supporting the affirmative, and Messrs. L. Jf Cronin and R. W. Corson taking the negative.