SEES SMALL HOPE OF AN AGREEMENT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19280, 17 January 1931, Page 13

SEES SMALL HOPE OF AN AGREEMENT

MR COATES OUTLINES VIEWS ON FUSION. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, January 16. Speaking at Te Kopuru the leader of the Opposition, Mr Coates, made the following statement:— “ A few weeks ago I made a statement of my considered opinion upon the proposal that fusion or coalition should be effected between the Reform Party and the United Party. I then pointed out that the Reform Party, as a party, had nothing to gain by any such development, but at the same time, because we of the Reform Party do honestly endeavour to place the interests of country before all party and personal interests, I added that we should be willing to consider any proposal that might be made to us by this Government, provided only that it was based upon acceptance of those principles and items of policy which we believe to be right and necessary in the interests of the Dominion. Points of Policy. “ I referred to the following seven points of policy upon which we insisted in the national interest: (1) A return to the late Reform Government’s policy of tapering off public borrowing. (2) That measures be taken to bring down the costs of production to enable our producers (primary and secondary) to meet the new level of world prices. (3) That a policy of derating be initiated to ease the burden of reading costs on the farmer. (4) That operating railways be removed from political control. (5) That expenditure on new railway construction cease in every case where it cannot be proved that the new line when completed will be economically sound. (G) That the rate of,wages paid to single men on purely relief work be lower than the standard wage. (7) That although night drills may be eliminated the system of national defence be based on the principle of national service. “ These were my points, and I believe them to be pressing matters. If any fusion or coalition should eventuate we regard it as essential that it should be based on acceptance of common principles and common policy and not on any consideration of personnel. Arguments Unsound. “ The various arguments advanced in favour of fusion, coalition or the formation of a so-called National Government have been carefully considered, and I have been forced to the conclusion that those arguments are unsound. A government can be strong only if it has unity and solidarity, and only a strong and stable government could deal effectively with our present problems. Any hotch-potch government resulting from fusion or coalition would inevitably suffer from internal weaknesses and dissension, which would render it helpless. I am convinced that the principles and policy of the Reform Party are right and necessary in the best interests of the community as a whole. I am averse to the formation of a hotch-potch government, because I conscientiously believe that such a

step would not be in the best interests of the Dominion, and I have reason to believe that in this I am expressing the opinion of the majority of supporters of the Reform Party. “ Because I have seen little possibility of agreement on principle I have condemned fusion, as I am opposed to any opportunist settlement on the basis of personnel. I wish it to be clearly understood that personal considerations should not affect the issue, and for my

part they will not be allowed to affect I it.”