FUSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20947, 10 August 1931, Page 13

FUSION.

Sir,—l think that Hamlet's soliloquy, "To 'be or not to be." would bo very appropriate to tho present discussion on tho above, for it appears to mo to be very doubtful as to whether fusion would havo tho effect that is claimed for it by some people. After reading in Hans.ilf) all tho hard, if not bitter, things said by various United members about the Reform Party ono is surprised at their wishing to bo associated with such a. party in any way. It is certain if theie was fusion at" tho present time there would be quito a number of independents standing and sufficient of these might' bo elected to form another party. lo my mind, it seems that tho only satisfactory course is to havo an election, and then, if no party has an absolute majorit v, the two parties could join together. It might even bo possible for there to bo an understanding between the parties to that effect. Ido not think theie is anv doubt that tho success of the Uniled Party at tho last election was due largely to tho personality of the leader, Sir Joseph Ward, as well as to the famous manifesto, but with a different leader and a different manifesto no one can predict the results of another election. Waikato.