REFORM AND VOTE-SPLITTINP

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 123, 26 May 1928, Page 8

REFORM AND VOTE-SPLITTINP

(To the Editor.) ■Sir,—The United Party's opponents continue to accuse the party <jf entering the political fiold for the purpose'of vote-split-ting. This ancient ana worn-out argument is being expounded by the now desperate Reform Party with the idea of convincing' the electors that the effort of vote-splitting by the United Party will place the Socialistic Labour Party in power at the General Elections. Under the circumstances, the charge against the United Party is purely political impudence, and- it is worth while pausing a moment to consider Reform's record in this, matter; It abolished the'second ballot, and in so doing promised to supply a better alternative, but that / promise, like many others, has not been kept,' When Liberalism and Labour. divided the anti-Government forces, and let Reform in on a minority vote, 'did Reform express any regrets? Further, despite Reform's professed abhorrence of Labour, it opposed sitting Liberal members and presented seats to Mr. Holland, Now, when, the United Paity has been formed for the purpose of consolidating the moderate ■ anti-Reform forces, the -Coatep' Party and its supporters complain about vote-splitting. Is this note a staggering piece, of effrontery? Who but the Reform Party is responsible for the electoral system that permits votesplitting? And why should not . a new party be formed in the interests of those who are strenuously Qpposed to the present Administration, and who will not support the Socialistic Labour Party? This is a free country ... or it used to be before the advent of the Coates Party, Of course, t)i§ Government regards a two-party system ii> which it has an indefinite lease of office, as.political, perfection; but how are we to improve our legislation and'the personnel of the House, if the elector's choice lies sojely between Eeform and Labour ? , ■ •. > It must be borne in mind that there is always the possibility of Reform finding itself in the position of a' third party after November. In that case it would be interesting to know what their attitude would be as regards vote-splitting,— I am, etc., • JOHN H. GILMOUR, . Dominion Publicity Manager, United Party.