VIEWS OF LEADERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 279, 28 November 1935, Page 7

VIEWS OF LEADERS

DEFEAT ACCEPTED WITH SPORTSMANSHIP MR. COATES DISAPPOINTED. “The verdict of the country has gone against us and this we accept in the true spirit of sportsmanship,” declared the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. AV. Forbes, in a broadcast address to the electors. “It seems that the policy of another party has proved more attractive to the electors of Nev/ Zealand than our own. The welfare of the country must be the first consideration of any Government.” Mr. Forbes said he felt that he and his colleagues had done their duty to the Dominion. The Coalition Government had many difficult things to do and he thought that it would be acknowledged that they had faced up to the difficulties well and placed the country back on the rails again. The fact that prosperity was returning must give satisfaction to every section of the community. He regretted that many of his colleagues had fallen but they had the satisfaction of knowing that they had done their best for the country. He paid a tribute to their loyalty. “I accept defeat in the spirit that one would expect from a political party. I realise that the future of the country is one of great importance and I hope that there will be no setback in the returning prosperity, the benefits of which we are just beginning to feel. Tn handing over the reins of Government to the Labour Party we do so in the hope that the Dominion will continue to prosper. AVe have no feelings against any of those who have been our opponents. A r erdicts come and verdicts go, but anyone interested in public life must be prepared to accept them when they come. AVe have done what we felt to be our duty to the country and we believe that we have not let down in any way the confidence placed in us.” “Naturally, I am disappointed that the National Government has not been returned to power -with a working majority,” said the Minister of Finance, the Rt. lion. J. G. Coates, speaking from Dargaville. ”The position was confused by the intrusion of a third party and a number of Independents. I am confident that the result would have been different had it not been for the intrusion of this third party.” He hoped that the Labour Party would be able to improve the condition of the country and carry on the good work of the Coalition Government. The Labour Party should be given every chance to fulfil the promises that'had been made to the electors of the eountiy, Air. Coates extended his congratulations to the new Government and to the successful and , unsuccessful candidates. Mr Savage a Proud Man "This is one of the proudest moments of a lifetime, but a difficult one, under the circumstances, to express my feelings,” declared tho leader of the Labour Party, Air Al. J. Savage. ”1 am one of those who feel that the depression is the work of man. We have ample production on all sides; it is only a question of distribution. This is the main problem that will face the new Government when it takes office.” The promises which had been made to the people could only be carried out with their co-operation. He had no doubt what the reply of the people would be to this* He wished to assure

the people that they had nothing to fear from the Labour Party, -whose object was to co-operate w/th the people in the government of New Zealand. Manufacturing industries would have to be further extended and the primary industries were in need of assistance. He paid a tribute to his colleagues, who were going into the work of governing New Zealand with absolute confidence that they could implement the programme that had been outlined throughout the country. There was a time, said Mr Savage, when New Zealand led the world and, with the guidance of the Labour Party,