WHY REFORM TOOK THE COUNT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18614, 16 November 1928, Page 11

WHY REFORM TOOK THE COUNT.

INTERFERED TOO MUCH WITH BUSINESS AND THE'LICENSING ISSUE. State interference with pri\-ate business and the Prohibition question are the two chief reasons assigned to the Reform Party’s downfall at the general election by many Christchurch business men. A reporter to-day interviewed prominent representatives of all professions and the consensus of opinion was to the effect that under the Coates Government there had been “ too much red tape in business.” A well-known legal man, who is a supporter of the Reform Party, said that he was unperturbed at the election result. It had been generally anticipated, he said, that the Reform Government would suffer a severe reverse, and while the result was surprising to even the most ardent opposition members, the trend of opinion, both in business and w r orking circles,.was undoubtedly against Reform. Perhaps the main factor was the State interference with business and private enterprise. There were now too many absurd regulations governing practically everything in business, and even supporters of the Reform Party wree opposed to too much of the Coates administration. A man required to sell a few sections of land the matter would have to go through eight or ten Government Departments before the sale could be proceeded with. Prohibition Issue. That the licensing question had played a big part in the Reform defeat was the opinion of a land-agent who endorsed the lawyer’s opinion of State interference with business. “ If the Government had not taken such a definite stand on the Prohibition question, the defeat may have been averted,” he said. “ At least six -afe Reform seats were lost through the opposition of those opposed to Prohibition. While Mr Coates took a courageous step in introducing the Licensing Bill before Parliament during the 'ast session, the wisdom of his action is, in the light of subsequent events, is much to be questioned.” 4 * Civil Service Should be Reduced.” “ There is too much red tape in business and the Civil Service should be reduced by one-third,” was the emphatic opinion of a prominent city sur-

veyor. " The Lands and Survey Department is one of the many unnecessary departments, and a thorough clean-out of the Civil Service would be of great benefit to the country. The Reform Government antagonised all classes of business people and their downfall was inevitable.” The opinions set out above found approval ■with all classes of the business community. The motor regulations, the Highways Board, and other matters were also held to have caused the unpopularity of the Reform Party. United Party is Popular. Perhaps the outstanding fact of the elections is the equanimity with which Reform supporters have received the result. The overwhelming nature of the defeat of the Coates GoveriTment is a matter for surprise rather than regret. The consensus of opinion among business men is one of hope. The United Party, it is considered, will abolish much of the red tape now so prevalent. Approval is expressed because the United Party does not allow the liquor question to enter into party politics. There is much speculation as to the composition of the next Government. It is generally expected that Mr Coates will resign and that Sir Joseph Ward will try to form a Government. A coalition or fusion between United and Reform is considered very probable, but there is a strong opinion that if the United Party went to the country it would return w r ith a sufficient majority to control Parliament. There is a feeling that another election might not find favour with many of the new members, some of whose seats would be prejudiced by another contest. The cost to the country is another factor against another election, but the bulk of public opinion is that the United Party would be well-advised to seek a greater majority. In the event of a further election, it is considered that the United Party would gain another ten or twelve seats, mainly at the expense of Labour. A Coalition Government is not considered undesirable by the greater majority of the business community. Labour’s Position. The election is considered significant in view of the fact that Labour did not make the progress anticipated by the Labour leaders. Of the twenty-four seats lost by the Reform Party, Labour gained only five. There were fourteen Labour members in the last Parliament and there are now nineteen. The general view of the election is that the people, while discontented with Reform, would not swing round to Labour but choose instead the middle course.