(To the Editor.)

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 121, 28 November 1928, Page 10

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—A dispassionate analysis of the political situation indicates that the Dominion has decided to rise.from a .bed of prolonged and acute political sickness, and in doiii^r. so, has thrown off.the yoke ot the Coates Government iv the realisation that Parliament' required a long overdue spring cleaning, and the Dominion a change ot Government. The result of the election proves conclusively that the Coates Government has been shattered by a universal vote not altogether for reasons publicly stated by the particular party, but for the simple reason that the Dominion has been practically stationary so far as our general ■ development is concerned, the natural i-.erpience being unemployment and distress. Though strong numerically, the Coates Government was comprised of a decidedly weak rank and file, and Cabinet lacked the calibre to not only tackle our problems, but solve same. Pandering to sectional interests and the pernicious. system of legislating by Order-iu-Council and also the tendency to transgress from the fundamental principles of democracy by bestowing the privilege outside those of the House of Representatives to actively participate in the governing of this- Dominion was contrary to our traditions, and sooner or later was sure to react, on those responsible. Too much party politics is detrimental to the general welfare of any country, but just how much reliance can be attached to post-election utterances of "country be-' fore party" remains to be seen. As an instance, one merely has to cite the concentrated effort by the Coates Government to unseat the outstanding financial authority in Parliament, namely, Sir Joseph Ward. Had the Coates Government succeeded in its effort, the result would have certainly been a party gain, but a national loss. Assuming another election is forced upon the Dominion, either in the immediate future or later, due to disgruntled party reasons, nothing is more certain that, such an election would mean^ the annihilation of the remnants of the Reform Party, who would be well advised to be content to play second fiddle (humiliating though it may be), and later on seek an alliance with the United Party after the heat of the election has passed and other obstacles removed. There is room only for two parties in Parliament, and, until the Moderates become welded together in a common cause, it will be interesting in the interim to observe the members who are worldly enough to place country first, and those who from lack of vision are unable to see beyond petty party differences and selfish individual aspirations at the expense of general progress and development of the Dominion.—l am, etc., THOMAS A. ERASER. 27th November, 1928.