Mr Holland Unwise.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18256, 18 February 1931, Page 2

Mr Holland Unwise.

“In face of these and many similar facts, Air Holland is very unwise now to begin censuring, the Government so late in ihe day for breaking its election pledges. The plain truth is tiiat in 1928 the Reform Party, seeing our present difficulties (which were 'bound to follow'Britain's- adoption of a policy of deilalion), went to the country with a policy of making preparation in advance to meet the bad weather which was doming. But the general election of 1928 resulted in the defeat of this policy of shortening sail and preparing for bad weather. “The new United Government was elected on a programme of heavy borrowing and extravagant expenditure, and with the support of the Labour Party for two • this policy ,of reckless extravagance has been pursued. 'Tor two years the situation has been growing rapidly worse, and both the United Government and the Labour Party have refused to recognise this fact, but have instead done everjthing possible to aggravate and intensify ihe difficulties of the situation. “As late as May, 1930, at the Parnell by-election, Air ’Forbes himself declared that the finances of the Dominion were in a thoroughly satisfactory state, although even at that time he had already seen the Treasury report, which he subsequently issued, and which showed Lhat a shortage of £3,000,000 was to he anticipated. For the remainder of that year the Government continued spending money lavishly in the construction of new railways and in relief works (at 14s a day). On Verge of Crisis.

“As late as July last it seemed impossible to make either the Government or the Labour Party realise that the Dominion was on the verge of a /serious economic crisis. Even on July 17, 1930, Mr Holland was scoffing and encouraging the Government to scofi at the idea that there was any considerable fall in 'the export values, and he was saying: ‘I do not believe Mr 1). Jones was right in stressing the serious financial position of the country. Both gentlemen declared that the country's exports had fallen considerably. Well, have they?’ “After this exhibition of tills lack of acquaintance with actual conditions in the country, Mr Holland should he silent for a very long while. Un October 10, 1930, just before Parliament closed, Mr Coates again emphatically drew attention to the development of a serious crisis. ’1 do not wish to appear as an alarmist,’ lie declared, ‘but I do think it is the duty of every rightthinking person to face hard facts. 1 am afraid people generally not even yet realise the . gravity of the situation.’ “Even Ihen, in October last, it was impossible to check 'the Government j i> its career of extravagance, or to make it face the serious situation which was rapidly developing. It was not until the last day of the last session of Parliament that the LabourParty turned round on the Govern"ment, refusing to support it furthci. Free to Listen to Reason. “Then, abandoned by the Labour Party, the' Government was free at' last to listen to -reason, although many more months elapsed before any action was taken to cope with the situation, ■which, every week was becoming more difficult. Reform Suggestions Adopted. “On January 21, following a conference of the Reform Party, Mr Coates made an explicit public statement of measures, which, in the judgment of the Reform Party, were urgently necessarv. This statement was issued the day after Mr Forbes returned to Kew Zealand, and it cannot he otherwise -than satisfactory to the Reform Parly to note that although there are some divergencies and some important omissions, yet many of the suggestions proffered by Mr Coates have now been adopted . “If Mr Holland cares to describe this -as ‘an unconditional surrender to Mr Coates and the Reform Party,’ that is a matter upon which he, to whom the Government surrendered for the two previous years, may be left to judge. So far as the Reform Party is concerned, there has'never been any possibility of doubt as to the line it ~,iics has staled again and , ul l if and whenever the Government -might be persuaded to do the right thing, it could rely upon the assistance of the Reform Party in passing all measures which were in the -cal interests of the people as a whole and calculated to help the Dominion to emerge freuss tho crisis.’