The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1931. FUSION.

Evening Star, Issue 20779, 29 April 1931, Page 8

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1931. FUSION.

Oxce again Mr Forbes lias done the right thing. His invitation to all members of the House to consider the question of a National Government brings that matter into the forefront of politics just when the prospects for it appeared most discouraging. Tho desire for such a Government has been keener, up to this stage, in tho country than in the House. Leading supporters of both the principal parties have not ceased to uso their influence for a long time past to bring it about. But a law which, applies to ordinary warfare seems to bo reversed in politics. In warfare, it has been said, passions and prejudices rage far more strongly in the breasts of non-combat-ants than in those. of tho soldiers in the field. In politics it is tho actual fighters who tend to exaggerate all the differences between themselves and opponents, to seo success for their own ranks always a day ahead, and to make of party, which means conflict, a sacred word. So tho efforts of onlookers, who may easily see most of tho game, to bring peace into our political feuds have till now been unavailing to all appearance. Instead of a closing of the ranks between at least the two main parties, there have been announcements of candidates, put forward by each, iri*view of the next elections, and preparations for an immediate party fight at Hauraki, in the North Island, alt threatening to make greater difficulties for union. Nevertheless, the representations of outsiders have had their effect, first on Mr Coates, and now on Mr Forbes. Mr Coates was prevailed on first, in an interview in November last, to state tho terms of policy on which Ids party would consider fusion. Tho Prime Minister was then in England, but Mr Ransom, acting in his place, promised immediate attention to tho terms provided they were put forward formally. In January Mr Coates repeated his requirements, without making them a direct overture to tho United Party, and in doing so made plain his own lack of enthusiasm for fusion. Ho stated, however, that, so far as ho was concerned, personal considerations would not affect tho issue. A direct overture is now made by Mr Forbes, for whom, no doubt, tho experience of tho short session has emphasised the advisnbleness of a National Government. With him also, and with his party, personal considerations will not count. The co-operation of all elements is invited, and it will ho for tho nbw coalition parly, if that can bo formed, to cbooso its leader. That is a handsome offer. There arc various

aspects of it to bo considered. First, as to necessity. It is obvious that three-party politics is an unsatisfactory condition—most unsatisfactory in a time of national emergency. The Government has worried through till this stage with the support first of Labour, then of the Reform Party. But support which can never be depended on in advance leaves much to be desired. Tho Prime Minister had to withdraw, last . session,, his taxation proposals under tho Earthquake Bill. If Reform and United had been one party the impossibility of passing those particular proposals would have been known beforehand. They would not have been brought down, and (precious time would not have been wasted. It is ill work governing in a melee. If the present conditions continue, the disadvantages of it must be felt again next session, when Mr Forbes brings down his main taxation proposals. A point to be observed is that, with three parties obtaining, any other party which might take control would be in exactly the same position as Mr Forbes’s follpwing, and there is not the slightest reason to expect that the position would bo altered after next elections.

The invitation has been given properly to ail parties, since it is a National Government that is desired. Labour as a block, however, is quite unlikely to accept it. Its ultimate objective—Socialism—makes its fusion —something l more than co-operation—-with any other party practically impossible. Some Labour members might be glad if that impossible object could be deleted from its programme. To others, no doubt, it is all that makes the platform valuable. Wo should not regret to see Labour outside tho scheme, because an Opposition is desirable to any kind of Government. Some Reformers find a difficulty in tho inclusion ‘of Independents in the invitation, feeling that, with their support, only a United member could bo chosen for tho leadership. It would be unnatural, however, for them to bo excluded except at their own wish. The responsibility is now on Reform to take tho next step. It has laid down its policy terms for fusion. They are as follows;

1. That there must be a return to the late Reform Government’s policy of tapering off public borrowing. 2. That the cost of 1 production must bo brought down to enable our producers to meet tho new level ol world prices. 3. That a policy of derating must be adopted to ease the burdeu of reading costs on tho farmer. 4. That the railways must bo removed from political control. 5. That the expenditure of bor rowed money on railway construction must cease in all cases where it cannot be shown that a now lino when completed will bo economically sound. G. That the rate of wages paid for single men for purely relief work must bo lower than the standard rate.

7. That, although night parades should bo eliminated, tho system of national defence must still be based upon tho principle of national service.

The only point which now presents a possible difference between tho main parties, so far as theso issues are concerned, is the last. Adoption of it makes no departure in principle lor tho United Party. It means simply the roassertion of its old principle, suspended in action at present, not for reasons of policy but of economy. A forced and reluctant fusion between tho parites would bo useless. A free fusion should bo possible when the differences between them are, for all practical purposes, in tho face of special difficulties of the times, differences between Tweedledum and Tweedledoo.