THE COALITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 232, 2 October 1933, Page 9

THE COALITION.

UNEASY ALLIANCE.

REVIVAL OF RUMOURS.

ELECTION ORGANISATION. (By Telegraph.—'Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Rumours are again current in Parliament House that all is not well within 'the Coalition party, and suggestions are I being made that on important points of policy the two leaders do not see eye ] to eye. It is well known that in a coalesced party clashes of will are inevitable, but that does not mean that the party is on the point of disintegrating. There may be an agreement to differ on certain lines of action. There does not appear, at tho moment, to be justification for the suggestion that the parting of the ways is being approached. Apart from the desire of the Government to complete the task to which it has set its hand, and which it considers to be in the best interests of the Dominion, there is the ever-present fear of what would happen I in the case of a general appeal to the electorate, especially if forces were divided. The Government frankly acknowledges its unpopularity, and it is conceded by close observers of the situation that *in the event of a general election the Coalition would lose many seats, probably enough to let Labour in. Appeal as separate entities would, it is I further predicted, mean the extinction of the United branch of the Administration.

While these conditions and prospects obtain, it is hardly conceivable that the Coalition will break up, because a general election would be inevitable if a split took place. Of course, there is always the outside possibility that a major issue will arise on which unanimity will bo impossible, but at present it is difficult to discern it. Terms of the Pact. The frank statement of a trades union official in tho South Island that Labour did not care whether the election took plaoo in three weeks' or three years' time, because it was prepared for it, has reminded members of the Ministry that the Coalition, although now two years old, has been, and still it, merely a temporary arrangement. During its currency, in accordance with the ternts of tho pact, neither Reform nor United has the right to conur.ct an exterior organisation i;: preparation for the eventual contost, at the polls. This naturally uncovers tho vulnerable spots of both groups, and it would appear almost certain that Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coatcii will very shortly have to make up their minds as to the provision to be made for the future.

Establishment of a permanent UnitedReform Coalition would, on paper, offer tho simplest remedy; but the first obstacle would be raised by the leadership issue, which has been satisfactorily composed during the temporary arrangement. Who would take the helm on a permanent /basis i.s a question that in the meantime defies an answer. . In all probability, instead of bringing the groups closer together it might rend them asunder. However, it is understood that the whole question will, during the session, receive Cabinet consideration along Hie lines of protecting the Government from having to face the electors without the benefit of an organisation that is prepared for action when Parliament dissolves.