PARTY FUSION DEMANDED

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1930, Page 3

PARTY FUSION DEMANDED

(Auckland Star)

“It is pleasing to note that one of the most level-headed members of the Reform party, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, late Minister of Finance, expresses willingness to do almost anything by way of co-operation with his political opponents in order to arre-t the present situation threatening the well-being of the country,” said Mr C. A- Wilkinson Independent member for Klgmont in an interview at New Plymouth concerning the fusion suggestions.

“A rapidly rising public opinion threatens the continuation of our present party system. It is generally considered that New Zealand is drifting financially, and thoughtful people arc very apprehensive in regard to the future. Mr Stewart is, I believe, one that is competent to speak in regard to the position, beeaiise of his intimate knowledge of the finances of the Dominion, and he says that any measure of fusion is desirable if it will stop the orgy of uneconomical loan expenditure, and that party interests ought to he subordinated to the avoidance of the great and real dangers with which the country is faced. “NOT A VICTORIOUS GENERAL.” Tho Right Hon. Mr Coates on tip: other hand, has blown hot and cold in regard to fusion. A year ago lie was quite keen to bring about a settlement of the differences between the parties. During the Waipawa election lie declared emphatically against a fusion stating that the differences between the parties wore fundamental and could not be bridged. To-day he suggested a compromise with his political opponents upon certain defined, terms, which he lays down under seven headings, which savours of a victorious general offering terms to his defeated enemy, and can hardly be accepted by his opponents, who are by no means defeated at the moment. In this connection it seems that New Zealand must suffer because of the wrong attitmlc taken up by the present Leader of the Reform party, who will have no fusion unless on his own terms.

“Mv contention is that the general condition of the country is so serious, that whole-hearted co-operation by all nolitioal parties, including Labour, is absolutely essential. It should not he a question of bargaining for portfolios., of a question, of leadership. The whole question should he the welfare of the community, and individual aspirations should be cast out and discarded. T have advocated, for a considerable time, that the House should elect the best available men for the positions of responsibility, and ■five them the power to carry out decisions, which, although perhaps uni tala table, would, in the end, benefit the community. Tf members of the present Parliament will not agree to this course of action then it is for the electors to deal severely with those who stand in the way. “PARTY SYSTEM DESTRUCTIVE.” “Once again I say that the present party system is destructive of the national interests, and the present moment is so desperately serious that eon fide nee is hieing lost. The next winter looms up appalling from the ■dewpoint of unemployment and financial stress. We cannot effect an improvement in the prices of our export products, but we can lighten the load of expense that is such a grievous "barge upon all, and especially upon tho primary producers; but should Parliament meet at an early date, with conditions politically as at present, the only result would probably be an increased addition to overhead '•osts. and 'n all probability an increased taxation levy.”

Interviewed to-night Air ,T. S. Fletcher Independent member of ■ Grey Lynn, said he heartily endorsed the statement that the present serious situation required the collaboration of all parties. The ■ country’s affairs demanded most capable administration, not. from one mirtv merely, hut from all sections of Parliament.