THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 12

THE FUSION PROPOSAL.

Si r ,—Mr. Coates is to be ■ commended for the thoughtful, temperate and patriotic tone of his reply to the proposal made • by Mr. Forbes for the disbanding of the Reform and United Parties with a view to a revival of the old National Party. Even thoso of us who were perhaps inclined; at first glance, to favour the proposal, now recognise that it contained many grave defects. Would it not be a serious mistake to disband such a party as the Reform Party, desfroying all its valuable traditions, principles and policy, in order to enable its members to join a new party—or an old party revived—with no traditions, no settled principles, ■and no policy whatever ? A political parly should surely be, essentially, a combination of men "who share the same outlook, t.he same principles,' the same general views regarding policy. Possibly, his own experience with first the Liberal Party, then the National Party, and then the United Party,, has rendered Mr. Forbes incapable of appreciating the fact that there are others in politics whose principles and ideas upon policy are less transient and lightly held than those of the men who in the last five years have called themselves first Liberals, then Nationalists, then Uniteds. Mr. Coates has certainly taken the only, course consistent with the loftier conception of public life and public duty. In refusing the proferred chance of office for himself, he has once again refused to admit that self-interest or expediency is the first consideration in politics. He has maintained the highest standards of public lifo by declining to join a new combination—any new combination —which is not founded upon the sure basis of prior agreement on principles, purpose and policy. Malvernian.