The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY, 6, 1931.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY, 6, 1931.

PLAYING THE GAME. . | Tu'e Prime Mineiter on one occasion When being complimented oil attaining Ministerial rank,, •expressed his determination to “play the game” always. Mr Forbes, who was a notable Rugby player in his day, adheres to .that re-, solve, in his political career, In the offer to stand aside for the formation of a National Party to take up the affairs of the country, Mr Forbes lives up to his high resolve to the letter. His offer is not qualified hy any conditions as to a policy of his own making. He presents a clean slate, and asks the new party to indite its own policy. This is both frank and fair, and fits the circumstances admirably, but some of the die-hard Reform supporters find fault even with this attitude. They say that Mr Forbes is barren of policy, and in effect, is only seeking co-operation for his own, or his party’s ends. This is quite unfair criticism off the face of it. Mr Forbes and his‘colleagues are all prepared to stand aside, if need be, when the 'new party is constituted, and the party is left quite untramelled to settle its only cardinal points of polio\ • Really nothing could lie fairer. Mr Forbes is playing the game in the fair, est possible manner. It is petty of the critics to say that he is without a policy, for did he not fairly again, hold over his taxation proposals obviously for the new party to have its voice in that important section of the policy. Mr Forbes is generously fair at every turn, and bis frank attitude has won him not only hosts of friend*, but many supporters. The Reform party is moving eircumspeetively, but Mr Forbes has made it plain he is not going to be caught napping though any dangerous delays in considering the overtures made. He has now fixed a time-limit for a reply, and

once again, that limit is fixed within a

reasonable period. He asks for a definite reply prior to the 13th. inst, which is the date fixed for the closing of nominations for the vacancy in the Hauraki electorate. He gives fair warning by a stipulation that if the present overtures are not accepted, then party warfare will he resumed hy the nomination of a United candidate to fight the seat. If that comes to pass, then the blame for continuing the nresent unsatisfactory alignment of parties will rest on the head of the Reform executive. ft is true that the. Reform party within Hauraki has vetoed any fusion proposals, but the voice of the leader of the party, as the authoritative personage has still to be heard. Mr Coates really has no need for delaying his public reply. He has expressed views on fusion some few weeks ago, and. his mind will he fairly well made up. The whole issue is so palpably plain in regard to the circumstances of the Dominion that the delay on hjs part suggests he is looking for some tactical advantage, and if that be so, he is not playing the game. Prominent supporters of his party are responsible for the late petition presented to the two leaders urging fusion, and Mr Forbes carried the proposal further in guite a statesmanlike way, to establish a new party altogether. Australia hn s its National nnrty, which is a fusion of Conservative and Liberal for the good ot the country. New Zealand had a National Government in war-time which suited the needs for the times admirably. The occasion now in peace is not anv less urgent, for the whole financial fabric needs readjusting. Ihe couiitiy has to pay its own way and live within its means. To do that, taxation must he adjusted to meet the difficulties and without creating burdensome imposts. and it must he kept right ir the Dominion is to forge ahead, and a National Government is the best means of sticking out in that direction.