POLITICAL COQUETRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18601, 8 July 1922, Page 9

POLITICAL COQUETRY.

For some time the amours of the Liberal Party and tho Official Labour Party have amused the public, but it would seem that the courtship has now come to an end. The Labour Party in conference has decided against any election arrangement with the Liberal Party. Very probably the Liberals will retort that it would have been good manners on the part of Labour to wait until it was invited to become a partner in an election adventure. Nevertheless, though there may have been no official negotiations, it is generally understood that prominent members of both parties were agreeable to an arrangement. If there was the suggestion of a certain shyness it was only of a kind that is sometimes

discemable in such affairs. The appear,ance of shyness may, indeed, usefully mask powerful emotions, and, where ambitious leaders, anxious to secure place and power, are concerned, considerations of great moment arise. If the dominion could possibly have made provision for two Prime Ministers and two Cabinets, doubtless Mr Holland and Mr Wilford would have pooled their" fortunes in order to rescue the country from the Government, but, as the coveted positions are few and the applicants numerous, a settlement, in which neither party would bo placed at a disadvantage, was clearly difficult. Neither party is ready to efface itself fqr the accomplishment of what both so fervently declare to be the pressing need of the dominion —the formation of a new Government. Their attitude calls to mind the relationship of the shipwrecked l cook and sailor who found provisions running short. I loved the cook as a brother, I did, And the cook—he worshipped me; But we’d both be blowed if we’d either be. stowed In the other chap’s hold—you see. So the official “alliance” has for the present been declared “off.” Wise Electors would not, in any case, be inclined to take the risk of Mr Wilford becoming Prime Minister by the grace o*f Mr Holland.