AGAINST FUSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 5

AGAINST FUSION.

SIR JAMES PARR'S VIEWS. FAVOURS CO-OPERATION. AUCKLAND SUBURBS SEAT. "I will give you my answer in one week," said Sir Jainee Parr, on Saturday afternoon, in answer to a request, signed by 500 electors in the Auckland Suburbs electorate, that he should contest the seat at the electione this year. The occasion was a garden party tendered to Sir James and Lady Parr by the executive of the Reform League in the Suburbs electorate. It was held at the residence of Mrs. C. F. Gardner, Links Road, New Lynn. Referring to the proposed formation of a national party Sir James, who was a Minister in the Reform Government, said: —"I have come back from Europe with a profound conviction that in these days it is vital to the political health and safety of a State to have a strong Conservative party; that is why I view with some misgiving the present proposal to blot out the Reform party in a, coalition with the United Government. Experience shows that coalitions are never satisfactory. There also arise personal disappointments, jealousies, and distrust: —things which pvc fatal to good government. The English instinct against coalition is sound. "In nearly every country there is a Conservative part}', which stands for sane and orderly progress, for law and loyalty, for moulding the existing economic system for the benefit of the underdog, rather than capsizing the cart altogether. Everywhere the ConeeiTative party is the strongest bulwark against Socialism; and, what is much worse, that poisonous Communism, which threatens the world. "In these circumstances," eaid Sir James, "is it to New Zealand's interest to blot out the Reform party, which may be needed yet?" Sir James eaid it might be well for the two parties to come together, or work in co-operation, so as to pass the necessary legislation which would be for the benefit of New Zealand generally; but as far as fusion was concerned he thought that it would be better to await the elections in November and let the electors decide that matter for themselves. During the speeches of welcome, prior to the request for him to 6tand, the possibility of Sir James entering politics again was mentioned, and he was assured of support in his old electorate. In his reply, Sir James said that he was too busy at present, at any rate, in attending to his private business concerns to give the matter much consideraion. "But you never know what the future mav bring forth," added Sir James, amidst laughter.