THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 10

THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

SIR JAMES PARR'S VIEWS.

ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTED. "A TEMPORARY PARTNERSHIP." " Australia proves that fusion does not attain its desired end. There, the result of fusion has been to put the Labour Party in power." In these words Sir James Pari 1 , speaking at a garden party given in his honour at New Lynn on Saturday, expressed disapproval of the Prime Minister's pioposal for a merging of the Reform and United Parties in a national Government. Sir James said the proposal involved the merging, or, rather, (lie submerging, of the Reform Party, and he viewed the project with some, misgiving. " I have returned from Europe with the profound conviction,lie said, " that it is vitally necessary to the political health and safety of the modern State to have a strong Conservative Party. (Applause.) In nearly every country there is a Conservative Party, which stands for sane and orderly progress, for law and loyalty, for

moulding the. existing economic system for the benefit of the underdog, rather than capsizing the cart altogether.

" Everywhere the Conservative Party is the strongest bulwark, not only against Socialism, but against that poisonous Communism which is entrenched in Europe and threatens the entire world. In these circumstances, is it to New Zealand's interests to blot out the Reform Parly ? If that has to be done, I, for one, would be very sorry.

" The Reform Party does wisely to lake time to consider the proposal. It is too serious to be rushed. Fusion does not always accomplish the desired end. " Alight not. the end desired he equally served by a temporary short partnership to frame the necesSary measures in Parliament?" continued Sir James. "Ought not Parliament to face the electors in due course in November, when the people themselves may solve the problem?" (Applause. ) " Coalitions arc foreign to the English temperament and the English instinct against thein is sound. They are never satisfactory. There will always arise personal disappointments, jealousies and distrust —things fatal to good government. After all, we know nothing of the policy and programme of this proposed new party. Is there not sonic other way of saving the country than by wrecking the Reform Party?" (Loud applause.)