THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4605, 4 October 1934, Page 4

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

With an election to take place in a little over twelve months, it is not suprising that a new political party should make its appearance with a glowing programme to attract the electors. The ideals of the new Democrat Party have been set out in a most enticing manner by an organiser who has proved himself a gifted political windows-dresser. If Mr. Davy can organise a new party, place it on the Treasury benches, and guide them to a full realisation of his and his party's ambitions, then it can be said that the end of the financial and economic troubles of this Dominion is in sight. Promises are easy to make, buti infinitely more difficult to put into practice. It will be interesting to hear the personnel of the promoters of the new party behind Mr. Davy. It is reported that Mr. Wm. Goodfellow, who has of late been in strong disagreement with Mr. Coates, is one of the promoters. If this report is true then most interesting developments may be looked for. One thing is certain —if the new party goes to the poll it will most seriously affect the chances of the Reform Party, which is still a separate political entity. Enough evidence is forthcoming to indicate that a considerable section of the Reform Party desire to cut adrift from the United Party and face the electors as a distinct party. If such should eventuate it is more than probable that the United Party will link up with the Democrat Party, I

and this means the disruption of the Coalition Government. There are several points in the Democrat Party which will appeal to the electors. The fact that it is proposed to 'Work for the abolition of the sliding scale of duties on wheat supports an impresson that the new party movement is at present a North Island one. There has been strong opposition to one section of the community securing special favours at the expense of others. Another significant feature is that it is proposed to contest the seat of Mr. Coates, indicating that the drive will be against the Reform Party. The proposal to place State trading concerns on exactly the same footing as private enterprise will appeal to the people, as also will the prevention of any individual being elevated to Cabinet rank unless he is a chosen representative of the people. Thousands of people who realise the harm that has been done to our export trade to Britain and the cost it has been to the country through the raising of the rate of exchange Will welcome a gradual reduction in this way with the ultimate objective of bringing the exchange rate to a parity with sterling. These are promises which might be fulfilled, but there are others which will be more difficult to put into practice. How it is possible to obtain a minimum price for our exports is a matter that has yet to be explained, unless by subsidies, and such are not sound from an economic point of view. How it is possible to obtain new markets in a world of intense nationalism and high tariffs has also to be explained. If both these two objectives could be achieved there would be no further worries for this Dominion. Still it will be most interesting to hear the full details of the policy of the new party. One thing is certain, however. If there are to be three or even two antiLabour parties to woo the electors at the end of next year it will give a clear run for the Labour Party. If the Coalition Government is to be disintegrated because of party and individual ambitions it will be committing political suicide, and Labour will sweep the country.