THE LAST WORD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19446, 4 November 1925, Page 8

THE LAST WORD

MR. FORBES AT ASHBURTON. CRITICISM OF REFORM GOVERNMENT. [Per Press Association.! ASHBURTON, Nov. 3. Mr G. Forbes addressed a large meeting in furtherance of the candidature of Mr Galbraith, Nationalist candidate. His speech was on the lines of those in various parts of the South Island. He said there was a great deal of enthusiasm behind the party and determination to succeed at the polls. One of the peculiar features of the present election was that the electors were asked to elect men pledged to Mr Coates, tied to one man, instead of to a policy. After detailing the fusion proposals, Mr Forbes said the Nationalists were not giving up Liberal principles, but stood for a wider appeal, for those who desired to see stable Government established. He criticised the increase of the Public Debt and of borrowing. When Sir Joseph Ward in 1914 proposed to borrow five millions the Conservatives raised the cry that it would mean national bankruptcy, and urged London moneylenders to put the screw on. Yet this year the Reform Government proposed to borrow twelve milions. In all Reform appeals to the constituencies there was no mention of the need to put finances in order. The only references were to a great forward policy. Mr Coates was described by the Reformers as "the man who gets things done,” but the progress made in the Public Works Department was brought about entirely at the cost of increased expenditure. It was not due to either higher wages or dearer material.

Referring to lack of information afforded the House regardlag items on the Public Works estimates, Mr Forbes urged the appointment of a committee to check expenditure and allocate amounts. The policy of the Government was expenditure without regard to other considerations. Mr Coates was also credited with having done good work in connection with the highways, but the fact was that roads in Canterbury and the South Island in general had never been worse. Outlining the Highways Bill of last year, Mr Forbes said the Government had carried its points by making motions for amendment that amounted to a vote of noconfidence, so that Liberals pledged not to vote to put Reform out of office had no option in the matter. Dealing with the allocating of votes, Mr Forbes said the Prime Minister as Minister of Public Works, went about scattering roads and bridges, and crowds cheered him, but they would

not be cheering him in the near future. The country could not continue its present rate of expenditure, and the time was coming when heavier taxation would be necessary. Business men of Canterbury had issued a statement that the present financial policy threatened the prosperity of the country. Closer settlement was needed to insure more production, but it was significant that Government candidates said nothing about closer settlement, showing what a force was behind the Re form Party. The Conservatives had always opposed the compulsory taking of estates, and not one acre had been acquired by the Reform Government under that system. Mr Forbes criticised the discharged soldiers’ settlement scheme. The country had wiped off three million, yet the Minister claimed that the system was successful. The Reformers said a compulsory system of acquiring estates would be applied if the voluntary system failed, but, judging by soldiers’ settlements, what would be the condition of the country before Reform would admit failure? Referring to the i electoral system, Mr Forbes said that on a straight-out vote the Government would not last twenty-four hours. A hearty vote of thanks wag recorded Mr Forbes, with an expression of opinion that the time is opportune, for the formation of a sound National Government comprised of the best brains, and for Parliament to work in the interests of New Zealand as a whole.