EDEN AFTERMATH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 April 1926, Page 5

EDEN AFTERMATH.

LABOUR’S NEW RESPONSIBILITY

FUSION ISSUE RAISED AGAIN

(By Telegraph.—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON, April 16. Wellington Reformers do not bide their annoyance over tlie result of the Eden contest, which they are inclined to attribute to indifferent management in the early stages. Some criticism is also heard of. the retiring member, .Sir James Parr, for not taking an active part in the campaign in order to retain the seat for his party. The late member, however, seems to have adopted the very proper view that as he is on the eve of becoming a public servant, he had no right to interfere in politics and to show partisanship just as he was about to take office as the Dominion’s representative in London The suggestion is that the first session will be interesting in view of events in Eden. The Wellington Post, a strong advocate of fusion last session, sees in the by-election a reason for reviving the theme. lt / remarks editorially: “The record of the successful candidate is remarkably good. As an honours man at Victoria College and a B.A. ALA., and LL.B., also Alayor of Pukeltohe during four years of exceptional municipal activity, Air. Alason would be a welcome addition to the ranks of any party. To the Labour Party, which is stronger in theory than in practice, of government, the accession of Air. Alason should be of special value. Tlie immediate effect of his success is obviout to everybody—the dead-heat between the Labour Party and the-Na-tionalists for priority . in the present Parliament is ' now determined in favour of the foiquer, and, as in Great Britain,. Labour becomes the official Opposition. Alany will deplore the change, hut we do uot take a serious view of it. The distinction between the Nationalists (or Liberals.) and Reformers is, as we have maintained for years, almost entirely artificial, but a> great gulf divides them both from Labour. The tripartite division in politics is always a nuisance, and might at any time become a peril. Tlie capture by Labour of tlie Opposition benches will surely enforce the fusion of the other parties, which they should have effected voluntarily some time ago.” '