TWO "NATIONAL" PARTIES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 16, 18 July 1925, Page 6

TWO "NATIONAL" PARTIES

From the public point of view the latest political developments are anything but progressive. Nor can the blame be placed wholly upon the one set of shoulders. The Liberal declaration for the formation of a new National Party is not timely; but it is merely taking a line from the Reform Party. Mr. Wilford says, in effect: "The time has come for a National Party, so we will be that party. Others are invited to join." That is how his statement will be read. But how does this differ from the declaration by Mr. Coates, as given in his contention that the door was still open, and emphasised by his latest retort to Mr. Wilford 1 Stripped of all ornamentation, that declaration was merely this: "We believe in a National Party, and we are the Nationalists. Those who think likewise should come over and join us." It would be rather amusing to hear and mark these protests of concern for the public welfare, were it not for the possible serious consequences. While Reformers are shouting: "We are the Nationalists," and Liberals put out their sign: "This way to the National Party," Labour may quietly walk between the ranks to say: "We are the Government." When the fight has gone bo far as to become an argument upon which side shall be the Official Opposition the parties may become more reasonable; but that will be small consolation to the public. The latest developments, we feel sure, will do neither party good in the eyes of the public. The eager partisans may shout and applaud, but the thinking public will look on in dismay and wonder when they are really to be considered as something more than a pawn in the game.