Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1925, Page 2

At.moron Reform as a party holds that fusion is not possible with the Libotals at this juncture, even selected candidates for Lie- form are strongly advocating a union lictweeii the t«o dominant parties in Now Zealand politic-,. with a view to opposing effectively the forces of extreme Laltor .socialists. The reason just given was tho essential cause which prompted lift' AVilford to open the negotiations with Reform, and at the opening there was a very friendly attitude taken up by the Reform party, hut a change came over the scene later. Mr Coates has since been saving that he is without a mandate on the subject, but that would come from the general election wljich has to he held this year. As mentioned above some of his accredited candidates will he advocating fusion when they go before the people, and for all round consistency it appears obvious that the Government should have the national union as part of the policy of the country. By the course the Government is following there is going to be a great splitting of votes and an unnecessary waste of individual effort. In many electorates as matters are

shaping, though Reform ami I.iheral candidates will l;o advocating a union of forces, they will be opposing cadi other. The attitude will he an tqien denial of the policy espoused. and where there is a third candidate, as will he the case- most likely in the electorates. the odd men will receive much support because of the public disgust with the powers that be. who while advocating fusion, are not prepared to carry it out in I act. This is a disturbing factor lor the future from the point of view that the extreme Labor element is not going to be opposed effectively. Hat her will the political game lie played into their hands, and give them an unnatural advantage. There is. however, time to recast the attitude of the parties, but it .should be done quickly before too much harm is done by pursuing a policy which endangers the fusion possibilities by the opposition and delay caused by the present at tit title of the Reform party.