NATIONAL PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 12

NATIONAL PARTY

REFORM'S REJECTION

PRESS OPINIONS

Press opinions on the reply forwarcJ-ed iy the Leader of the Opposition (the Bight Hon. J. G. Coates) to the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. G. W. Forbos) declining the offer to form' a National Party vary considerably. In the provinces the Reform Press in some instances applauds the decision of Mr, Coatea and his colleagues not to sink the'identity of tho party.

"The Post's" special correspondent it Dunedin telegraphs the following spinion. as expressed by the "Dunedin Star" (United):—"Tho Eeforin Party's rejection of Mr, Forbes's proposal for fusion-does, riot come as a surprise. The Reform leaders were 'most unusual calm' when the proposal was announced,'and there was nothing in their demeanour towards it to suggest that it would be accepted. There is something to' be said for the rejection which Mr. Coates has now notified. It is courbcus, it is prompt (so avoiding any prolongation of uncertainty, which might make. embarrassments for 'the Government), and it is reasoned, though the reasoning seems to us sonic of the worst in tho world. It is a question still how far it. really represents the views of. the Reform Party, for the week which has elapsed since Mr.. Forbes's offer was made has left the shortest time for that party to be consulted, but the majority of Ecform members, and of branches in the conntry will no doubt endorse it, and fusion is.off: for the present. It will come just as soon as circumstances prove too strong* for the parties. There is nothing unnatural in tho suggestion that two parties having so much in common, as, this procedure suggests, of which ono. now supports the other in Parliament and has been given an assurance by Mr. Coates's present statement that if. .will continue to support "it on only essential issues, should go one step further and combine. It is easier to cooperate as one body than as two. That is- a plain case for a. national party. If closer co-operation is required by Mr. Forbes's Government from Reform, Mr.. Coates will furnish a small committee of Reform members to confer with the' Ministers on projected legislation. We are not sure how that system would work in practice, but it might prove the first step towards fusion."