FUSION PROPOSAL

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 19 June 1931, Page 8

FUSION PROPOSAL

•ASTUTE POLITICAL MOVE. -5 ADDRESS TO REFORM CLUB. “Nothing more than an astute political move, one that would produce nothing but discord ii put in operation,’’ was how Mr. C. A. L. lreadwell described the offer of fusion made to the Reform Party by the United Party, during, an address given, to members ol the Wellington Reform Club on V cdnesday. Mr. Treadwell supplemented this description by saying that in hr. opinion the offer was “ludicrous and -‘an insult to the intelligence, report:, the “Dominion.” Mr. Treadwell began his address b\ tracing briefly, the political history o! the past two and a. hall years, and touching on tho attitudes, at various time, of the three parties in Partia meat. In 1928, lie said, llie* Reform Party had been the biggest one of the three, so much so that its majority was a little unweikly. Jt had become unpopular lor a number of reasons, the chief of which was its financial programme. That programme had been shaped as it had been because Mr. Coates had seen the clouds that were now bursting over New Zealand, and had tried to shorten sail accordingly—a procedure that did not meet with the approval of the man in the street. “The public likes* pleasant surprises,” Mr. Treadwell said, “and t-lie politician can always remain a politician, though lie can never became a stateinan, by pandering to the public likes and dislikes.”

The United Party had had to decide whether it wanted support from the Reform Party or Labour Party, and it bad chosen tiic latter—a party Socialistic in. its basis, ami one that wanted to nationalise industries and eliminate private enterprise. The United Parly had got into power on a programme that it was entitled to issue, but one on which the electors were entitled to express’ approval or disapproval ol its non-performance. It had promised an abundance of money tor workers and for public works, with no extra cost, and Mr. Treadwell described this part of the platform as ludicrous —more than than, dishonest.

CH ANGER ATTITUDE

In 1930 statements that Mr. Coates had made in reference to helping the United Party had been construed b\ both the Labour and United Parties as*-an attempt to bring about fusion. Several members in both these parties had freely expressed, their opinions on the subject, and a number of the United Party members had said they would rather have fusion Aviih Labour than with Reform. “That was their attitude thou.” Mr. Treadwell said, “but it lias changed considerably in a number of eases.” .

Mr. Treadwell proceeded to criticise the Government on its action in creatingtlie basic: wage it did for relief works. It was a wage, lie said, that the country could not afford, and one for which the workers to-day were suffering. The effects of the depression could have been considerably lightened if the Government had done its duty. Mr. Treadwell mentioned the part played by the Reform Party when the earthquake Bill was before the House, and stressed that it- was entirely due to Reform's firm attitude that- wlmt. he described a-s “class taxation had been deleted from the Bill. “One of the most significant things to me. about the- fusion proposal,,’ lie said, “is that it- was not made when the House was sitting, when everyone was there and the pros, and cons of it could have been discussed. H was not made until the House liau risen and everyone had gone back to the electorates. That alone is enough to cause suspicion as to the sincerity of the offer —whether it was not merely j a political stunt.”

STILL A THIRD PARTY. What would be the effects of fusion r he asked. First, only a percentage of members would come over from the United Party—a fact that was admitted by Mr. Forbes. Secondly, tlie Labour Party would become the official Opposition, and, thirdly, there was a possibility of a thiixl party being set up. The Reform Party, to a man, was opposed to the proposition. “It may be only a rumour.” Air. Treadwell said, “but 1 have heard that if Mr. Coates bad agreed to fusion a party of business men proposed to put up £10,6110 to form a new party, so that there would be another anti-Socialist party in the House.”

Concluding, Mr. Treadwell said that if fusion was to conic at all it .should be proposed after the next- election. “1 may be a super-optimist,” lie said.

“but !'have a strong feeling that after the election there will be defections from the United Party’s rank’s. If they come back with 13 men 1 would not- be surprised if ball of them were ready Lo subscribe to the Reform Party’s platform within a- lev - weeks of the opening of Parliament.” -