Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1924 THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 26 June 1924, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1924 THE POLITICAL SITUATION

THE present uncertainty regarding the political situation is most unfortunate. Much work lies ahead of New Zealand’s legislators, hut the precarious nature of the Government’s majority will probably mean that more will he heard of party interests,and party wrangles than of tlie real work of the country. If it ho found that the Government is unable to carry on, an early appeal to the country will doubtless be made. The Government has a very slight majority over the Liberal and Labour Parties combined, and if it is unable to carry on,, the other Parties will certainly he unable to do so. It will he impossible for the Liberal Party .to join with the New Zealand Labour Party, and this is the only alternative to a general election,, if the Government resigns. And even in such circumstances were they possible, (here would be another even balance of opposing forces. And further, supposing there is an early appeal to the country, what real hope is there that there will be any decisive change in the state of parties. To secure stable Government', it will be necessary for the present party in power to gain a few more seats over the combined Liberal and Labour forces, or for either of the latter to gain a preponderance of voting power over either of tlie other two parties combined, which is unlikely seeing the leeway they would have to make up. The most probable outcome of an early appeal to the country would be a repetition of the present unsatisfactory position. In these circumstances, New Zealand would he no better off and some readjustment of parties would have to be made. The country would he put to the expense and disturbance of a general election to no purpose. So much for the state of parties as at present constituted. The absurdity of the present position is that tlie Reform and Liberal parties should he in opposing camps. A political party can preserve its identity only in so far as its policy differs in material respects from other parties. There is clear demarcation between the Reform or Liberal Parties and the Labour Party. But we defy anyone to show where any fundamental difference exists between the Reform and Liberal parties. For what reason should they continue as separate entities. So far as practical politics are concerned, there is no reason. It is only in the interests of party that their separate identity can he, preserved. The country needs stable government and a hold constructive policy. Nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of that.