THE PRIMARY OBJECT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 6

THE PRIMARY OBJECT

TO PREVENT VOTE-SPLITTING

ARE THE LIBERALS SOLID?

(BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day

In regard to the fusion of parties, a writer in the "Herald" says : "The Liberals undoubtedly have been making overtures, but the spokesmen are members who state, more or less plainly, that they look for office in the new Government. Their overtures have taken a form which shows a remarkable lack of cohesion in the Liberal ranks. On a numerical basis, the Liberals would bo entitled to four seats at the Cabinet table and the Reform Party, to-seven. It is expected the Liberals would demand their full quota as the price of union, a price which Reform would be unlikely to pay. The primary object of a fusion would be to prevent vote-splitting at the coming election, but in the view of some Reformers it would fail in this purpose, and cause many fresh difficulties as well. Indeed, it would cause heartburnings and dissensions in nearly every electorate. A number of sitting members, who got in on-a minority vote, would uot be acceptable to the majority o£ the new National Party. There are also men who have been contesting seats unsuccessfully.for years, and who may demand recognition. The result, it is believed, would be a crop of Independent National Party candidates, and an abundance of vote-splitting. The idea of a National Party i 3 attracting more and more attention, and there is a growing belief that the title 'Reform' will have to be laid aside. The present 'Reform policy has been practically worked out, and it is believed that a new one can be written that will satisfy the requirements oi both Reformers and Liberals. However, Government supporters prefer that the election should be held without embarrassment by previous political changes, and that the country should be allowed to give an unhampered verdict upon the personnel of existing parties. It is not considered the cause, of a National Party would be helped by a premature fusion, in which Liberals could demand portfolios regardless of the men put forward :.to take them. There is much doubt whether, Mr. Coates is of the temper ever to grant such terms."