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Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1928, Page 4

The Dominion results for the General Election supply many surprises. The Government encountered a landslide nml lost many seats, including three Ministerial scats. Mr Coates, has the largest party, lint is not likely to lie able to carry on effectively. The re-organisation of his Cabinetwould lu* a task in any case. It would appear that the Government wore very unwise in 1925 not to have •o-cented the overtures of Sir J'osonb Ward regarding a fusion. Had that offer been accepted and used as wisely ns the opportunity promised, the Dominion would have experienced a different Parliamentary development. Bid the Reform wave surged over the other parties, and carried the party into a false security. Probably the most general comment which will lie passed on the situation to-day will be the desire for a general fusion of Reform and United to provide a stable •>artv. This action has hud to he adopted in both Federal and State noli tics in Australia in order to combat Labour, and an instance of this will be afforded on Saturday when the Federal election will be bold on a straight out issue. In the polling yesterday there was much vote splitting, indicating that it is necessary to legislate for some form of second ballot or preferential voting, or to adopt a general fusion of the normal parties against the extreme radical. Tt would appear that it is necessary to conform to the two party system to secure a condition of rationalism in politics. Apart from the broad aspect of the general situation, with the downfall of Reform, both Labour and United have divided the spoil the chief credit passing to the Uniteds. The reappearance of the old Liberals is the bright spot in the general results, for in our opinion this recognition of Sir Joseph Ward is well deserved and has been long overdue. With several seats still in doubt it is not possible to gauge the final strength of the oarties, but tbe result is certainly unfavourable to the Government, while it gives a greatly improved position to the Liberals and a stronger party for Labour. Mr Coates will require to call his Cabinet together as soon as convenient, and an early session inav lie the result to determine the actual position. The Prime Minister may he .•elied on to do what is right. He has put up a hard light, largely on a loan hand, and has justified his nominal ability to lead. Prohabl.' overtures will he opened with Sir Joseph Ward, but on this occasion the first move will require to be made on 1 it'll«il 1 of the Government.