FUSION TALK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 8

FUSION TALK

Sir,—The strangest feature of the present economic crisis is the extraordinary outburst from advocates of fusion of the Reform and United Parties. These remarkable agitatoi's have adopted the cry of country before party, and call for a strong, stable Government to solve the urgent problems of the Dominion. No one will deny that such a Government, ready to carry out its proposals unflinch ingly, is highly necessary-, but it is most problematical whether fusion would ensure that state of affairs. Although the National Government of the war period,was hardly a fusion, it is nevertheless interesting to note how suddenly it disintegrated before- the Liberal (now United) desire to gain a political advantage. In 1925 the Natiopal (now United) Party again closed the door on fusion to gain the same advantage. The results in both cases were disastrous. Remembering those facts, and in view of the fact that the present discussion assumes that Reform should initiate negotiations, a very interesting position arises. In the first place, it is obvious.chat the fusionists are dissatisfied with the United Administration, recognising that it is incapable of handling the country's problems. They believe that the introduction of the strength of Reform will save the situation. This is a pretty compliment to Reform, but logically destroys the case for fusion. Strength does not mate with weakness. • Assuming, however, that. fusion is effected, there is no guarantee that a strong Government would arise. Party beliefs and feelings would have to be swept aside, and in view of the United-Labour alliance that possibility is extremely nebulous. The ensuing Cabinet would not be undivided and unanimous, and the question of policy would very quickly cause discord and disruption. The differences in policy are so clearly defined at present that they could not be permanently healed. Party and party ambition is so inherent in our political system that only a very credulous person can believe in the success of fusion. It is timely that these facts should be realised. The position calls, not for a fusion, with its internal weaknesses, but for a Government which will avoid promising the moon and the stars and will lay down a common-sense policy and carry it out.—l am, etc., SENATOR.