PARTY OR COUNTRY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 45, 15 October 1931, Page 2

PARTY OR COUNTRY

When the Prime Mmister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Fbrbes, then at the head of the United Government, first made his proposal to the Reform Party for a fusion of the two parties and the formation of a National Government, the Reform Party's reception of his invitation was probably no more disappointing to him than was the attitude of the electorate. Powerful influences outside Parliament unquestionably were actively engaged in supporting Mr. Forbes's plan, but the country generally was not enthusiastic. Making full allowances for partisanship and the fact that the very generalised terms in which the United leader framed his proposals were not calculated to fire with enthusiasm the average elector, the laek of response was ma'rked. The reason for this is probably to be found in a wide-spread doubt whether it were possible for the two parties, constituted and led as they are, to sink their differences with sufficient completeness and to work together with genuine sincerity in the real interests of the country. The next stage in the drama — a drama which unhappily sbows signs of developing into a tragedy, or, were the issues at stake not so serious, a tragi-comedy — was the appointment of the interparty economy committee and the rising from its ashes of the present Coalition Cabinet. It is only a few days since the new Cabinet first met Parliament; as yet its policy, or most of it, remains undeclared, and only the most pressing items of its legislative programme, those bearing on the national finances, have been brought before the House. Already, however, there is evidence that the Coalition is not the happy family it should be, and no doubt would like to be. Partisan bickering and suspicion have shown their ugly heads and other signs are not wanting that the public's scepticism regarding the possibilitv of

a genuine and whole-hearted subordination of party to country were not unjustified. So far as can at present be gathered from what has leaked out regarding the inner relations of the partners in the Coalition, the chief bones of contention are a feeling in United circles that Reform has been permitted to pick all the plums from the political basket, and a fear, in the same party, that the general election, due normally within the next few weeks, will not be postponed as long as they had hoped. Neither of these reasons will appeal to electors as a justifiable cause of dissention in the present circumstances. They both savour too mueh of the old political game of grab, and both parties are implicated. The Coalition was professedly formed to tackle the very grave economic and financial problems with which the country is confr-onted. If, therefore, the partners in it are sincere in their professions, not party advantage, but national interest will be the object of their efforts. Recent happenings will have shaken the country's never very strong faith in their sincerity and it is to be hoped, therefore, that the Government will either promptly and eifectively prove its bona fides or give the electorate an early opportunity to pass judgment upon it.