FUSION?

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 305, 26 December 1930, Page 12

FUSION?

Now that there is so much talk about the illusive fusionistic proposition, an effort is apparently being made to use this topic as a means of attacking the Reform party leader. No man of public prominence has been so victimised by the pernicious whispering campaign methods as Mr. Coates, and without justification. One correspondent alleges that "now the United Government is in trouble over its poll tax" (thanks for the confession) Mr. Coates takes this opportunity to throw cold water on the proposed union. Why Mr. Coates and one might ask, what proposed union? Officially neither of the two main political parties has discussed or explored the possibilities of fusion. The .Press promulgated the idea, and in search of news interviewed the Right Hon. J. G. Coates. The Reform leader did not propose fusion, and did not encourage the continuance of considering the possibilities of such a proposition, so how can this gentleman be accused of -throwing cold water upon a proposition that does not exist? It will be remembered that when Mr. Coates handed over the Treasury benches to the late. Sir Joseph Ward, lie at the same time, in a truly statesmanlike speech, offered to his successors the helpful hand of friendly conciliation. Sir Joseph stated that the gulf between the two parties was so wide that there could be no unity between them. Reform sat tight, and gave the new' Government a free hand to make or break themselves, and your correspondent - , who is no doubt a loyal United, now suggests that the resurrection called the poll tax is landing the new Government-into trouble, so that fusion is. an imperative necessity. This may be true in so far as the Uniteds are. concerned, but it does not concern the Reform party or their leader, As one who can speak of the Reform party members from within, and not guessing from without, we can say emphatically that this party is loyal to a man behind its chief, and has accepted the challenge thrown out by the late leader of the Uniteds, and continued by its' present leaders, for there are many, to fight on to a finish. Conciliation, and friendship are not offered twice. Before fusion can become the question of the moment politically, the two parties must first come to the stage of negotiation. Mr. Coates has niade. his organisation a solid party, comprised of many thousands of units, each and every one important for the party's welfare, and each and every one responsible for the party policy. ■ CHARLES LAWRIN.