POLITICAL FUTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20862, 2 May 1931, Page 12

POLITICAL FUTURE.

FUSION PROPOSAL. ONLY HELPING LABOUR. CO-OPERATION ADVOCATED. " Never has such a dramatic political situation arisen in the Dominion as has been caused by the unprecedented manifesto just issued by the Government," said a prominent legislator yesterday. " Labour say ' the Government in is a hole, and a very deep one at that,' and anti-Labour say, ' Excellent idea, we will have one big party to keep Labour out of power indefinitely.' There is conflict in these opinions. If fusion would bring about the ideal, there is only one thing to do, that is, to fuse. But will it.' Ihe intense satisfaction that would be shown in Labour ranks at such an event would bo the answer given to that state of political affairs.

" One has only got to look to Australia to see how quickly Labour jumped into oflice after a fusion of anti-Labour forces, and how long that party remained in ofiice, having once got there. AntiLabour in New Zealand has tho spectre of J. T. Lang in front of it, but it forgets J. T. Lang had a good jumping-off point as the official Opposition, and when the cry goes up for <1 change of political faces in the Government of the Dominion, even J. T. Lang's face will not deter the elector from having a change.

" The ostensible reason for fusion is the welfare of the country. Times are undoubtedly difficult to-day. So they were last year with wool prices below cost of production. No one denies the Government's interest in the welfare of the country, but until a few weeks ago they sought alliance with the Labour Party in tho interests of the country. The orgy of expenditure of money which goes with such an alliance continued in the face of wool prices until a corresponding drop this year in our other primary products laid the way open for the Treasury and London to take notice. " With a deficit announced at £600,000, mounting up to £1,250,000 and an estimated future deficit of £4,000,000, jumping up to £5,500,000, the Government sought tho co-operation of Reform in effecting economies and received a ready response. Everyone knows Reform gave a definite backing to the United Party to go ahead with all its economy proposals that were deemed necessary to straighten the Dominion's finances. It is an open secret that Labour was ready to vote the Government out at any time Reform chose, and that Reform refused the opportunity to embarrass the Government in the task they had undertaken. " Why then the necessity of fusion with all its attendant risks ? Why not cooperation ? Co-operation was freely given last session and will no doubt be given again. A working understanding during tho difficult times ahead would give this country sane legislation for many years to come."

TIME SET FOR A REPLY.

EFFECT ON BY-ELECTION

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated this afternoon that he will appreciate a reply from the Rt. Hon. J. G. Conies regarding the fusion offer before May 13, the date on which nominations for the Hauraki by-election close. The United Party so far lias not taken any steps to select a candidate.