The Dominion SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1925. FUSION PROSPECTS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1925. FUSION PROSPECTS

■ Of late there has been a great deal of talk about the fusion of political parties, but not by any means as much evidence of serious and thoughtful consideration of the practical problems that obviously are involved. Some of the talk that is so widely current comes from people who think, apparently, that the word fusion is possessed of magic quality, and in itself offers a solution of the political problems of the day. The volume of talk is being swelled also by interested and aspiring politicians. The public is well aware that there are a great many members of Parliament who imagine individually that they are peculiarly well fitted for office. Naturally such aspirants to Ministerial office take it lor granted that with Cabinet reconstruction in prospect their hour of opportunity is at hand. In one way and another, there is thus a good deal of winnowing to be done in getting at what is really involved in a fusion of the Reform and Liberal parties. We are in full agreement with the opinion that a fusion of the right kind is desirable, but it must be of the right kind if it is to serve any useful national purpose. One necessary characteristic of a successful fusion is that it should not be a mere compromise agreement between parties, but a union based on the acceptance of common principles. A fusion of the right kind will impose no such hampering disabilities as did some of the agreements in this category made during the war period. It is most essential also that inter-party negotiations should not be used as a means of forcing into Minister!: 1 relationship men who for one reason or another are incapable of working together in mutual trust and harmony. . What is needed is a Cabinet whose members, having full trust and confidence one in another, will work unitedly together under a capable leader in promoting the general welfare of the country. Stability of government is, of course, very important, but it is not to be secured by setting up a Cabinet weakened by internal dissension and mistrust. A Cabinet thus constituted would be poorly placed to pursue,an active policy of progressive development such as this country lt would inevitably be discredited and drift into general disfavour. ( It is a point to be kept in the forefront that in this vital matter of reconstructing the Government on a broader basis the country at large is in no Avay concerned with the individual ambitions of this or that politician. The removal by death of a great leader in whose hands much political power was centred has made bold measures of adjustment necessary. A favourable opportunity obviously is thus presented of eliminating old and artificial divisions and creating a new political party which may be called the National Party or given any other name that will satisfy those who feel that a change in nomenclature is necessary. No benefit to the country could be anticipated; however, from a fusion of parties based on the bargaining of politicians intent primarily on satisfying their personal ambitions. There never Avas a time when the country could less afford to give rein to the ambitions of self-seekers in cither of the two political parties Avhose amalgamation is now being discussed. A decisive stage will be reached Avhen the members of the Reform Party meet next Aveek. It seems very probable that Mr. Coates will then be elected to fill the vacant party leadership. Unless Ave arc greatly mistaken, Mr. Coates is not the man to be dictated to in the vitally important matter of determining the constitution of the nerv Cabinet.

Should he be offered the leadership, his sound course undoubtedly Avill be to make his acceptance of that position conditional upon his being allowed a free hand in the choice of his colleagues. This, of course, must apply not only to the selection of Reform Ministers, but to the selection of Liberal Ministers in the event of the fusion of the two parties being agreed upon. Every reasonable consideration could be accorded to the Liberal Party by offering it a stated number of places in the Cabinet, to be allotted, at the discretion of the new Prime Minister. It is only in these conditions that a real fusion of the parties can be effected and a stable Government set up. An unfettered freedom of choice by the nerv head of the Government is the alternative to a course of bargaining and intrigue which at best would lead only to nominal agreement, and Avould leave the country Avorse off than if no attempt had been made to bring the Reform and Liberal parties together.