OFFER TO ASSIST

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 189, 8 May 1931, Page 8

OFFER TO ASSIST

Reform and United

ACCEPTANCE UNLIKELY

Mr. Forbes’s Intentions

POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS

No great hope is held out in Parliamentary circles that a working agreement between the Reionn Party and the United Party as suggested by the Leader of the Opposition, lit. Hon. J. G. Coates, as an alternative to fusion, will be possible of achievement. The Prime Minister, Kt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, returned to Wellington from Cheviot yesterday, and, although lie was not prepared to pass any comment on recent developments, he said he would waste no time in replying to Mr. Coates’s suggestion that a committee of Reform members should confer with Cabinet with a view to reaching some agreement concerning necessary legislation.

IS is considered that the United Party will not be prepared to accept Mr. Coates's offer of co-operation. The political situation has become more complicated during the past few days, and the indications are that events are moving toward a general election earlier than usual. It appears that, having made his offer of fusion to the Reform Party, the Prime Minister will not consent to any half-measures as far as party co-operation is concerned. It is pointed out in United Party circles that the Prime Minister and the whole of Cabinet were ready to lay down office in order to bring about a fusion of moderate political interests, but since the offer has been refused, Cabinet will insist on presenting its own programme to Parliament. Election Not Wanted.

Much necessary legislation still remains to be dealt with, for, apart from the Prime Minister’s taxation proposals, his 'general economy programme has not yet been completed. For this reason the hope is expressed by some that an election will not be precipitated, but should Mr, Forbes decline to entertain even an understanding with the Reform Party, it is certain that he will be forced to go to the country. In the course of interviews since making his offer of fusion, the Prime Minister has emphasised that the heavy task he Is facing cannot be tackled with anything like effectiveness by a minority Government. For this reason it would seem that a working agreement, which the United Party fears will not bring with it that measure of co-ordination necessarv to present a concerted front to the House, will not be practicable. Mr. Forbes has repeatedly said that he would stand or fall by his taxation and other legislation, but on Mr. Coates’s assurance at the beginning of last session that he would help rather than hinder the Government through its difficulties, Mr. Forbes showed later that he was willing to concede important points to the Reform Party provided his major proposals went through. It was obvious throughout, however, that there were differences in the policies of the Government and the Opposition parties. Private Members Not Wanted. Cabinet is at present clearly indisposed toward co-opting the assistance of private members in the drafting of legislation. Mr. Forbes has already declared that lit does not fear an election, and both within and without the House he has repeatedly said that if the majority of members consider there is anyone better capable of “doing the job” he would be perfectly willing to resign and abide by the mandate of the electors. He still holds this opinion, and the chances now are that, having failed to bring about fusion, he will not agree to any alternative. The Labour Party is very anxious at the moment to force an election, and these is no doubt that from the moment the House meets in mid-June it will do its best to defeat the Government. Candidate for Hauraki. Realising that much of importance must yet be done, and having promised not to block necessary legislation by factious opposition, the Reform Party will certainly not threaten, the Government’s existence if it considers that the legislation presented is needed, even should Mr. Forbes decline the assistance of a committee of Reform members in its drafting. The selection of a United candidate for the Hauraki by-election is expected to be made within the next few days. The party was purposely Withholding any nomination until Mr. Coates replied to the fusion offer, but now it has been declined’ a nomination will be made almost immediatelj- There are already three candidates In the field, representing the Reform, Labour and Country Parties, and with the entry of a fourth the election will be of particular interest. POLITICS NOT WANTED Chamber of Commerce Action Dominion Special Service. Auckland, May 7. A motion deploring the action of the Right Hon. J. G. Coates in declining to accept the Prime Minister’s fusion proposal was introduced in the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce today. It was defeated by the casting vote of the president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, who said it was'not the business of the chamber to participate in politics. The motion, which was introduced by Mr. A. G. Lunn, was as follows: —“That a letter be sent to Mr. Coates expressing regret that he has not been able to respond to the advances made by the Prime Minister in regard to the fusion of the United and Reform parties, and urging that on account of the serious conditions existing, due to financial stringency and .commercial and industrial depression, it is vital in the national interests to sink the more unimportant party differences for the benefit of the general welfare of the whole country.” “We are treading on thin ice.” said one member, “and if the chamber starts interfering in matters of this kind it will bring down odium on itself." The voting was even, whereupon the chairman gave his casting vote against the motion. . “I am not voting this way through lack of agreement with the sentiments of the motion,” he said, “but only in view of the fact that if passed it will bring the chamber in line with politics.”