THE Thames Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1925. STICK TO THE PARTY.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16627, 24 October 1925, Page 4

THE Thames Star.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1925. STICK TO THE PARTY.

“With malice towards none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to' see the right.”—Lincoln.

“Popular government seems to mean one thing, and that ‘is government by party. If you want strong government you must stick to your party.” These words were given to a meeting by a 'Southern Reformer, and (they contain a message that can well be assimilated by Thames. The party that offers to give sane government is the Reform Government, and this government must have a majority in the Legislature. Jn the past year we have seen 'the ill-effects of having a Government without power to take a stand. This has caused a deadlock on more than one occasion. Mr Coates’ utterance on Thursday, “He that is not for me is against me,” is to be applauded. No half-hearted men are wanted in these days. Mr Coates has a definite settled policy to offer the electors — a progressive and sane policy. He is not a man of words; lie gets things done, and his Government will stand for the stability and safety of the State and the Empire, as well as for the security of 'the individual. He believes in toleration and equal opportunity for all. Mr Coates makes no financial promises, and therefore does noit raise any false hopes in an endeavour to secure votes. He is a plain, practical man, who can be depended on, and his aim is to see the country developed on steady lines of progress. The electors can not do better than put their trust in Mr Coates and those supporting him, as the country has arrived at a stage in its development when the call i i for sane and experienced men to guide and lead for the future. The Reform policy will be largely controlled by the support it receives at the election on November 4th. A point we wish to stress is that there is not anotherunan offering in New Zealand who has shown that he has the qualities of leadership. The present leader of the Opposition, Mr Forbes, has not the personality to rule a country, while Mr Holland has too much Socialism, to put it mildly, to satisfy anyone save extremists. Mr Coates should go back with a strong party, and in the choice of his Cabinet he will have a free hand. In selecting it, he will feel deeply his responsibility to the people who trusted him. This trust will give him a substantial majority of men prepared to support itheir leader unflinchingly. They will not clog the wheels of 'efficient administration by the insistence upon the claims for office of inefficient men. Mr Coates in all his addresses has asked for a free hand in the reconstruction of his Government, and he has asked for personal support as Prime Minister. - The position, as he puts it, is that if he is to be confirmed 'in his position as head of the Government he must be freed from anything at all resembling the almost humiliating position in which the Government of the past session was placed by having to rely on outsiders to retain office. Mr Coates’ ability is recognised by all shades of public opinion, and if he is to receive the answer to his appeal to the country which he seeks, and which he deserves every electorate, in its 'turn, must, in the choice of its member, consider first and foremost the strength of the team. Mr Rhodes is an ardent supporter of Mr Coates and his policy, and he should be sent back with a substantial majority to help a competent leader in his 'difficult task of leading New Zealand to further prosperity.