THE GREY RIVER ARGUS MONDAY, June 29, 1925. WHAT IS HIDDEN?

Grey River Argus, 29 June 1925, Page 4

THE GREY RIVER ARGUS MONDAY, June 29, 1925. WHAT IS HIDDEN?

pIiEV IOL'SLY we have jminted out that apart from Labour,, mo Party has vet placed before the people any coherent policy to guide them at the coming general election. In view of its near approach, therefore, it is .1 very relevant question to ask whs there is maintained around the pourparlers and negotiations for a fusion between the Liberal Party and the He form such a thick veil of secrecy. What lies behind it? We. learn of one Lib., er.-il giving ve»nt in Parliament to tvlia. he was pleased to describe as a “Clarion call’' for unity—i.e. for a fusion but no further did he go towards a definition of his meaning, than to de- • cl.-ire it was something on behalf of the Empire! This Liberal and a few more in his party apparently mistake themselves in this matter for the whole British Empire. It is a new doctrine that the. welfare of the Empire hinges upon the number of seats in the Cabinet, which the Tory Parly are willing to concede tin 1 remnant of the Liberal Party. It is safe to say that is largely | the question at the fusion conferences. If the deliberations were about matters of public policy, as distinct from private or personal interests, would the public, lie told nothing about those , public matters at all? The mam in the istreet can answer that question in a i moment. If the merger is so essential, I why are not the public told the rea- ■ son Moreover, if a merger is a»ny.. ; thing more than the personal concern • of politicians, why is it being put off. The indications are that the lories and i Liberals arc inclined now to take no I further step in the matter till the elec j lions are over. Does that look lik.i I a. conviction of a necessity lor unity ’ I The only inference is that the two par- ! ties concerned are afraid to acknowledge their fusion aims, which arc those | of! retaining their seats, and are also ! doubtful whether the public will not I see through the dodge too soon if it lis finalised before the election. No | doubt, afterwards, the fusionists would be full of reasons for the merger but 'they are remarkably silent at present i * about the nature of the bargain which . thee wish on either side to concede . before coming out openly with the cry hut their sole objective has been to oppose Labour. The workers’ vote has yet Io be cast! For that reason, it is for the workers every where to recol- ' lect that whatever, the reason for the secrecy in the ion bargaining at | present, it bodes them no good so far i as the would-be fusionists arc concern, led, though the fusion itself, when rj does come formally, will show the worker more clearly who arc for and who are against him.