THE REFORM CAUCUS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16938, 12 January 1923, Page 4

THE REFORM CAUCUS.

APPEAL TO LIBERALS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 11. A meeting of Reform members of Parliament was held at Parliament Buildings to-day. occupying the whole of the afternoon. The caucus was a great success, stated the Prime Minister afterwards. The party consists of 38 members. Of these So were present, the other three, who were accounted lor, were Messrs AY. D. Lysnar (Gisborne), Tau Henarc (Northern Maori), and lru (Southern Maori). In the case of Mr Lysnar, he would have had to leave Gisborne last Friday in order to be present and could not get back till next Sunday night, except by undertaking the expense of a special motor journey. All the absent members sent suitable messages, which the Prime AI inister read to the meeting. Air Uru la ill in Christchurch Hospital, Mr Tau llenare was unavoidably detained, in Auckland. Air Lysnar was excused attendance on account of the length of time fie would have had to be away from his home and business. The meeting unanimously agreed to the following resolutions:— (1) That Parliamentary members of the Reform Party, while regretting that the party was not returned with greater strength, are not in the least discouraged, and intend doing their duty as before, in Parliament and out of it, on lines which will' best promote the prosperity and general interests of the country. (2) They desire to express appreciation of the fact that at the 1922 elections the electors supported Reform candidates with nearly 73.000 votes more than at the previous elections in 1919, while the increased rote for Libera) candidates was 10,999 and for Labour 11,723. (3) The most important question at issue under existing circumstances is whether the doctrine of Revolutionary Socialism should be tolerated in New Zealand, and this, conference is of opinion that giving effect to or even attempting to give effect to any such doctrine or policy would lx? disastrous to tfic country, and should fie resisted by every constitutional means in the power of right-thinking (4) In view of recent happenings this conference is of opinion that the line of political demarcation in this conutry should be between those citizens who on one hand believe in progressive, enlightened and constitutional democracy, and, on tfic other, those who favour a policy of Communism or extreme Socialism. The conference is also of opinion that the three-party system leads to instability of Government at a time when a strong stable Government is urgently (5) This conference desires to state its conviction that the Reform Party has everything to gain by a further appeal to the country, but it hopes that another general election may be avoided, at ail events until the financial position becomes more definitely assured and the depression has quitepassed away, and will' welcome any equitable arrangement by which those members of Parliament who are opposed to Communism may be brought together with the object of expediting the country’s business and keeping in. check any section who favour principles subversive of the best interests of tho Dominion. (6) This conference, recognising the Prime Minister's long and honourable political record, express their continued loyalty to him and pledge themselves to stand by him in his endeavour to carry on the affairs of the country, believing him to be at the present time the man best fitted for the position.