THE H.B. TRIBUNE MONDAY, MAY 13, 1935 A POLITICAL FUSION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 125, 13 May 1935, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE MONDAY, MAY 13, 1935 A POLITICAL FUSION.

A Press Association message from Wellington tells us to-day of an understanding that has been reached under which the relations between the Reform and United Parties in the House of Representatives will be radically changed. Indeed, the plain inference would seem to be that as distinct organisations these parties will disappear in a complete fusion that will replace the mere coalition under which they have worked together during the life of the present Parliament. There will probably be very few among the adherents of either of the old parties who will not welcome the decision that has thus been reached. Although the Coalition lias worked in quite fair accord, there can be no doubt that the preservation of party names and party distinctions has prevented the complete unanimity of purpose and unity of action that are essential to the meeting of present-day political and economic exigencies. Under existing conditions there cannot but be a suspicion of the perpetuation of old partisan jealousies such as are, of course, likely to take a more pronounced form when a general election is in view. The determination that has now been made was to some extent foreshadowed by the statements issued by the respective leaders of the parties on the eve of the Prime Minister’s departure for London.to take part in the King’s jubilee celebrations. At the same time, there was in these pronouncements nothing that pointed clearly and unmistakably to a permanent amalgamation, and most folk would probably read the appeals for unity as applicable only to the coming election and to the resulting House that might be elected. There would appear, however, to be no sueli limitation put on the arrangement now made, no doubt with the full concurrence of the two leaders, though both are for the time being absent from the Dominion. It looks, indeed, as if some minor difficulties in the way had been smoothed out since they left, thus disposing of any mental reservations that had previously to be made. The main point is that the country may now look forward not only to an election campaign conducted in unison and under a new style, but also to a parliamentary term in which a like feeling will prevail even more hiarkedly than in that now in its last year. It will doubtless be the opinion of many that the step that has now been taken might very well have been taken long since. For years now the political outlooks of the two parties have been gradually, one hiiglit almost say rapidly, converging until now they may be said to be almost identical, at any rate so much alike as to provide no reason for keeping apart. It was perhaps, however, just as well to have the practical experience of cordial co-operation that has been gained through the working of the Coali-

tion, which gives the needed assurance that there is nothing in the least way premature about the transformation that has eventually been effected, presumably with the good will of all those more directly and intimately concerned. With respect to the electioii that has to be held before the end of the year the advantage is in every way apparent. In the first place, it should greatly simplify the delicate task of selecting candidates. Hitherto there has had to be considered a preservation of party representation that has, at least in some instances, resulted in the exclusion of desirable aspirants. Under a complete fusion this difficulty will be minimised, if not entirely overcome, thus, we may hope, leading to less of the suicidal vote-splitting that was in evidence at last election. Beyond this there will be no question as to this party leader or the other being entitled to the leadership of a coalition. In this regard party jealousies should come to an end and there should be no more talk as to the Prime Minister coming from the party with the smaller representation in Parliament. There will doubtless be some diehards belonging to either party who will find it a little difficult to reconcile themselves to the changed conditions, but even they may be hoped to recognise how necessary it is to present to the electors a thoroughly united front in which there will be no evidences of the country’s weal being subordinated to personal ambitions. The choice of the electors throughout the country will now lie definitely as between the chosen candidates of the National Federation and those selected by the Socialist Party led by Mr. Savage.