MINISTER OF FINANCE

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 273, 23 November 1935, Page 5

MINISTER OF FINANCE

Defence of Government

LABOUR’S CONTRIBUTION

.MEETINGS IN BAY OF PLENTY

(Per Press Association) GISBORNE, Last Night.

Paying a flying visit to the Bay of Plenty electorate, (tine Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, addressed well-attended meetings yesterday at To'laga Bay ataid Te Kanaka, receiving an enthusiastic reception and votes of confidence at both places.

At Te Karaka itlhcre were a few good-humoured interjections, from which the Minister generally scored Defending the policy of the Government, Mr Coates recalled the serious problems which had to be faced in 1931 amid ’Contended that the plan of rehabilitation had been successful. Economies had been necessary- in order itio meet the 43 per cent decline in income from exports. An interject'or: All dairy-farmers have been cut that much.

Mr Coates: Exactly, that’s why we have to do .something to help them. Replying to an itnterjector who made a facetious reference to the Government’s blank checque, Mr Coates retorted: Well, you can fill your cheques in now, which is more than you could do in 1931. (Applause). Stating that he did not doubt the sincerity of the Government’s’ op-, pcwiient's, the Minister said he wanted electors to remember how much easier it was to crit/cise than to construct. citizen had suffered by the depression, and the Government’s aim had been to spread the burden as equitably as possible. The only issue now before the country was whether the Governmient which resolutely pursued :a considered policy of reconstruction to a successful conclusion, should be returned to put into effect a ca'refully-devised progressive programme or whether the Treasury benches were to be occupied by the Labo.ut Party, whose sole contribution toward the solurion of the difficulties had been destructive criticism. A party with no experience find whose proposals were ill-considered, illusionary and impracticable, the Democrats did not count, except aS a vote-split-ting group of malcontents. ADDRESS AT OPOTIKI OPOTIKI, Last Night. Mr Coates addressed an exceptionally large meeting this afternoon. He received a good hearing and was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.