A FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 113, 16 May 1925, Page 8

A FAVOURABLE OPPORTUNITY

DUNEDIN, This Day. The "Otago Daily Times" (Reform) says :—

"The general objections that may be urged against the acceptance of the responsibilities of the Prime Minister's ofiice by a member of the .Upper House are in this particular instance deprived of weight by the circumstances in -which Sic i Francis .Bell lias succeeded Mr. Massey. Sir Francis Bell proposes to hold his office only until such time as members of the- Reform Party will have elected a new leader. His will be an interim. Government only. Sir Francis' Bell, it will be seen, speaks of 'the new Reform Government,' but we take it that the question of whether the Government that will succeed Sir Franci.i Bell's Administration should be a, Reform Government in the sense in which it would be representative only of the Reform Party, is one that, will be discussed by that party when it meets to select a leader. The opportunity for tho formation 'of a Government to which all opponents of Socialism in the country should be able to look for guidance- seems to be more favourable at the present than at any time in the past, and it would be unfortunate if it should be wholly neglected. DANGER OF COMPLICATING ■ THE ISSUE The "Star" (Liberal) says:— "Afc the Reform Party caucus held on l}.th January, • 1923, a resolution was passed welcoming 'any equitable arrangement by which those members of Parliament, .who., are. opposed to Communism may be brought together,' and declaring tiiat 'the line of political demarcation in this country should be between those citizens who on the one hand believe in progressive and enlightened and constitutional dcumciary, and on 'the other of those who favour the policy of Communism or extreme Socialism.' The Liberals rejected that invitation, but that docs not constitute an overwhelming reason why it should not be renewed now. It ia said, on what definite grounds wo cannot state, that the Liberals would be disposed to regard it more favourably than in 1923. Its non-rene-wal might be regarded by them as a challenge., in which case the achievements and even the life of the new lieform Government in the coming bo3sion might not amount to much. Aloofness looks like bringing the General Election nearer, and heightens tho unwonted probability of its real issue being unnecessarily complicated, with possibly dangerous results in I'.jh meantime., It may be recommended to members of both major parties^ to got into dose touch vritli their constituencies, and act. in obedience, to- |lisJesHng in fa^ou? pf

coalition, if that feeling is found to bo so widespread as many believe it to be."