REFORM LEADER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18291, 14 June 1929, Page 9

REFORM LEADER.

ENTERTAINED IN SOUTHLAND. THE PARTY'S RECORD. By Telegraph -Press Association. INVERCARGILL, June 13. At a luncheon tendered by his supporters to-day, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, said that when the Reform Party relinquished the reins of office the credit of the country stood higher than ever before, showing that the policy followed had been sound In principle, and had worked out in practice. In addition to producing healthy trading balances, the late Government had been instrumental In reducing the Consolidated Accounts by £190,000, by which sum taxation had been reduced. The Reform Government had never waved the flag or endeavoured to take credit that was not due, nor had they hesitated to give opponents full credit for any good work. He hoped the present Government would be as fair in Its treatment. Mr Coates said it was not generally known in the South Island that all negotiations towards the establishment of a regular shipping service between Victoria and the South Island had been earned out by himself, and all that was left for the present Government to do was to take up the specifications and finalise matters. Referring to railway construction, Mr Coates said he hoped that before the Government proceeded with any project, a full statement on the economic position would be made available In order that costs might be weighed against advantages. He touched on the Taupo railway, and stressed that full investigation made before work had been proceeded with had shown that the project had been fully justified. The Taupo railway could not be compared with the South Island Main Trunk extension, as the former was purely a developmental line. In regard to the latter, he had said that the line should be completed, but careful investigation was necessary before the work could be put in hand. “We have a hard job in front of us as the Opposition,” Mr Coates concluded, “but It will be full of Interest. We shall give the Government reasonable time and opportunity, but there shall be criticism if it Is neeessary and we will expect the Government to answer any questions we may ask.”