FUSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 19

FUSION.

The "Star" in its leader drew attention to the traditional distinctions between the Uniteds (Liberals) and the Reform (Conservatives), indicating the futility of fusion. The late Sir Joseph Ward, with the hearty concurrence of his colleagues, including Mr. G. W. Forbes, bitterly rejected the offers of conciliation and help made at the short session of 1928 by Mr. J. G. Coates. He (Sir Joseph) stated that the differences between the two parties were too great to be bridged. When the Ship of State is in trouble the present Prime Minister throws out an S.O.S. to the Reform members of Parliament, and to my mind at least, in so doing he takes a distinctly mean advantage of his opponents by endeavouring to throw upon them the onus of wrecking the national ship. Never in all history, except during a time of war and threat of danger from outside, has such a barefaced and impudent proposal been thrown out. Think of it—2s Reform Parliamentary members, each and every one the servant of his constituency, have been asked to put the will and opinions of their electors and supporters on one side and decide off their own bat such a tremendous and vital issue. I entirely agree with the "Star's" leader; there are traditional distinctions of

grave a"nd mighty importance to be considered before fusion can even be contemplated. Conservatives in all parts of the Empire are proud of our great leaders of the past—of Lord Chatham, of American rebellion fame; of Lord Shaftesbury, the author of our Factory Acts; of Lord Beaconsficld, the statesman responsible for the extension of the franchise; of Joseph Chamberlain, the statesman of Imperial vision and the statesman responsible for free education; of the late Lord Balfour, the friend of humanity in general and of the Hebrew aspirations in particular; right down to bluff and honest old Bill Massey, of New Zealand, who caused more distinctly humanitarian laws to be placed upon the Statute Book of this Dominion than any of his predecessors in office. Reform members are entitled to be consulted before any steps can be taken towards fusion, and if I am any judge of my party colleagues we shall stand solid by our traditional ideals and principles. CHARLES LAWRIN.