POLITICAL FUSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21197, 1 December 1930, Page 8

POLITICAL FUSION.

The reference which Mr J. A. Young, who was Minister of Health in the Reform Government, has, made to Mr Downie Stewart’s suggestion that, if it were feasible,, a National Government, representative of. all parties, should be established in New Zealand at the present time is obviously based on a misapprehension of what Mr Stewart said. For that reason, it would be superfluous to comment upon it. But it is distinctly interesting to observe that Mr Young holds that such fundamental differences of policy exist between the, United and. Reform parties as put the formation of a Coalition Government a long way off. The view which Mr Young thus expresses is one that, it is to be acknowledged, has received the support of a few newspapers of standing since the idea of a fusion was discussed a few days ago by Mr Coates and Mr A. D. M'Leod. The fact that these two prominent members of the Reform Party afforded evidence of their strong dislike to any suggestion of fusion does not render it the less fortunate, in our judgment, that the idea has once again been brought pointedly under public notice. The more it is examined the greater, in all probability, vqill be the volume of sound opinion that lies behind it be discovered to be. The grave disadvantages that are associated with a three-party system must have impressed themselves forcibly upon the minds of all observers of political events and tendencies in New Zealand during the experience in this country of the presence of a minority Government in office. Nor does there seem to be any considerable prospect of an escape after the next general election from the mischief which the Dominion has witnessed unless, indeed, such an adjustment can be effected between ' the United and Reform parties as will admit of a fusion between them. The Labour Party, it is to be remembered, must, in accordance with its tradition if not actually in terms of its constitution, retain its separate identity and decline any alliance with another 1 party. Is there, then, any insurmountable obstacle to a fusion of the United and Reform parties! Mr Young believes there is. Presumably Mr Coates and Mr M'Leod share* this belief with him. If so, Mr Downie Stewart does not agree with, them, nor, the opinion may be hazarded, do the majority of the supporters of the Reform Party. Mr Stewart wisely holds that an artificial fusion of inconsistent elements, created simply for the purpose of keeping out Labour, would be doomed to failure. “ Any fusion must,” he says, “be based on the fact that its members have essentially the same political philosophy.” Now, it would be more correct to say that the political differences, as a result of which Mr Forbes and Mr Ransom sit on the Treasury benches while Mr Coates and Mr Stewart face them in Opposition, are “ artificial ” and to say that they are “fundamental.” Such differences as exist between them are magnified for party purposes, but it is wholly exaggerative to assert that they cannot be adjusted. And there is a very urgent need at the present time, when the country is confronted with economic difficulties, of grave perplexity, for the sinking of mere party issues in the interests of the people as a whole. Real patriotism demands that members of Parliament should not waste their time and that of the country in factional disputes when

their energies should he unitedly devoted to the solution of the problems that are causing acute anxiety to large numbers of their constituents.

In striking contrast to the rippling waves and sparkling sunshine which made the entrance of the harbour a pleasant place on Saturday, a grisly tale of bygone days was told. The story was related when the members of the Harbour Board, on their annual visit of inspection of harbour works, were having lunch in a marquee near the water’s edge. In 1837, according to the historical tradition, a whaler called at Otago Heads to replenish her exhausted supply of fresh water. A boat went to the shore for the water, and for some unrecorded reason the Maoris speared two of the boat’s crew. Drastic reprisal followed. The Native township was fired by the whalers, who, armed with rifles, shot down the Natives as they fled from their burning homes. Two hundred Natives, it was stated, were killed. The postal authorities advise that the Japanese motor ship Melbourne Maru, which is due at IVollington to-morrow, from Melbourne, is bringing, - two bags of Australian mail arid one parcel receptacle for Dunedin. The mail should come to hand on Wednesday evening. The steamer Marama, which is due at Wellington to-morrow from Sydney, is bringing nine bags of Australian mail and ’ one parcel receptacle for Dunedin. This mail should also come to hand on'Wednesday evening. A matter that is exercising the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle) is the deer question. Referring .to the subject on Saturday, the Minister said that it was recognised by his department that groat damage had been done by deer in New Zealand. He had succeeded in obtaining a special grant by Parliament to deal with the menace, and he had instructed Captain Yerex to organise a campaign throughout 'New Zealand. Operations had already been commenced at Stewart Island, which beauty spot had to be preserved ■. from the depredations of deer. There were many other districts affected, and all would be dealt with in a systematic way.

In the Methpdist Church at Port Chalmers yesterday special services were held in connection with the Sunday school anniversary. The Rev. W. Moore conducted the morning service, and the Rey. T. A. Pybus preached in the afternoon and evening. The children’s choral service was very inspiring. These anniversary services were held for the first time. in the new memorial church. .

Mr . Justice Kennedy has granted probate in the estates of the following deceased . persons;—Flora M'Donald Higgs, of Dunedin (Mr A. I. W.,Wood); Jessie Cairns; of. Dunedin (Mr E,. Collier)and Sarah Jane Broadbent, of Ravensbourne (Mr W. G. Hay). His Honor has also granted letters of administration in the estate of Severin William Seguin, late of Mosgiel. Mr J. N. Smith appeared in support of the motion.'

" Great interest,” remarked the Minister of the Toutist and Publicity Departments (Mr P. A. de la .Perrelle) on Saturday, “ is being taken ifi the booklets issued depicting the attractions of the Dominion. I frequently receive letters from overseas for copies of our illustrated publications, and it is a pleasure to. me to send them forward. That is' the best kind of publicity for our country” ■

Cars at ,tbe motor show at Olympia, mannequins chasing a couple of piglets, two Spanish dancers, an ultra-modern house, competitors in a “ fine physique competition,” shepherds on stilts, and other diverse themes make up the front, page—“ With, a Camera Man Over the Seas”—of the illustrated ■ section of the Otago Witness to be published to-morrow. Following is a page:dealing with one of the most romantic buildings in the Dominion—St. David’s Memorial Church—recently opened and dedicated at Cave and forming a landmark in New Zealand history. The Otago A, and P. Society’s Summer' Show is the subject of a third page, other shows represented being the Taieri and the North Otago. Children in the Gore School’s annual the parade of the Otago Division of the R.N.V.R., events at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s spring meeting, double first prize winners at the West Coast competitions, and four-of the Christmas cards, prepared for the. royal house by Messrs Raphael Tuck and Sons make further interesting groups of photographs. One picture subjects complete the issue. In the course of his reply to a deputation on Saturday, the Minister of-In-ternal Affairs (Mr P.'A. de la Perrelle) • said that one of the biggest branches of the department over which he had ministerial control was that dealing with local government, “Take the Local Legislation Bill, as an. instance,”' remarked the Minister. “ You would not believe the amount of hard work put into that measure. Nearly every part of New Zealand is concerned in it, and I think that county and borough councils would be at the very careful consideration given to their proposals. The provisions of the Bill are mainly to provide temporary and necessary measures.” The members of the Harbour Board and their wives made a trip by the tug Dunedin on Saturday for the purpose of inspecting the mole works at Otago Heads. The party left at 10,30 a.m., and called at Port Chalmers for the members who reside there. The Heads was reached at 12.30 p.m., and after lunch the tug went outside and round to the point at which work on the mole is proceeding. The members arrived back at the wharf shortly after S o’clock. During the run down the harbour the opportunity was taken to inspect several matters concerning' which discussion has recently arisen. The Port Chalmers Band gave a sacred concert last night in the Town Hall. The first item on the programme was thle march “No Surrender," and the final march number was “ Starlight.” The. programme also included songs and violin solos.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr P. A. de ia Perrelle) paid some complimentary remarks to the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, in replying to a deputation on Saturday. “You have' here,” said the Minister, “ a real live body which is doing excellent work, commercially and socially. I was very pleased to be able to send the chamber some of our publicity photographs for hanging in its meeting place. The men who give their services to these bodies free deserve the commendation of our business people. 5 ’

Charles Smith, a third class passenger on the Aorangi, which reached Auckland yesterday, died at sea from natural causes on November 16. ■ His body (says a Press Association telegram) was buried at sea. Hg joined ths skip at Vancouver &nd was booked to Auckland.

. •^• n organ and vocal recital was given in St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday afternoon by Mr E. Heywood, who had the assistance of Miss Dora Drake and Mr Alfred Walmsley. Mr Heywood’s numbers on the organ included the ever popular "Peer Gynt” suite by Greig; Beethoven’s Andante from the Fifth Symphony; “Water Scene” (Narcissus), Nevin; “Petit Chanson d’Amour,” Helmund, and a stirring march by Salome. Miss Dora Drake sang " How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings,” and Mr Walmsley rendered “Lead, Kindly Light," “Nearer, My God to Thee,” and “There is no Death.”

Although Messrs Irvine and Stevenson’s ia only one of the many manufacturing businesses in Dunedin, it has branches at places m here it bulks much more largely in the public eye. Hence, the Popt Office officials had the task on Saturday of delivering a letter addressed to “Whitebait Factory, Dunedin.” It says not a little for their sagacity that, they had no trouble in locating the correct place •of delivery.

The retiring chairman of the Welling* ton Stock Exchange, Mr Wynn Kirby, said he looked forward to the future with the utmost confidence. No doubt investors and brokers were perturbed br the present economic situation, but New Zealand s financial position as revealed in the trade and bank figures was quite sound. Increased production would compensate for the lower prices. He felt sure that before long New Zealand end Australia, with their wonderful recuperative powers, would look took on the past year with equanimity. Our special correspondent in Auckland reports that Mr A. D. Paterson, of Christchurch returned by the Aorangi yes ter. day after attending the International xvoaa Conference at Washington. The main topic, he said, was to find a ’crieaper norm of permanent road construction The general opinion was that oiled roads would best meet the case of rural dirtncts which were unable to spend largo sums. Oiled roads are ordinary metalled roads, soaked with oil in the process of scarifying. They gave an excellent dustless surface, and when they became cur* rugated could be easily re-scarified and rolled. They were the cheapest type of roads possible. Mr W. Bromley, of Wellington, a memher of the Unemployment Board, arrived by the express from the north on Saturday. The occasion of his visit is to gain a knowledge of the local conditions, with a special view to the expenditure of any grant from the subsidy of £25,000 set aside by the board for the institution of special relief works between riow and Christmas. In addition to that, Mr Bromley states, the board is anxious to ascertain how far it can assist local committees which are operating in the various centres to relieve distress and how far it can enlist the co-operation of these local committees in carrying out further schemes of relief. Mr Bromley will leave for the north to-morrow morning.

Great Britain is facing her present difficulties with characteristic courage and indomitable spirit," said Mr P. Goldberg, governing director of the Goldberg Advertising Agency, who (says our Auckland • correspondent) is returning to Sydney by the Aorangi after a visit to England and the United States. "The will to ■win,’ one of the most prominent traits in the British character, has never been stronger than it is to-day” , Ohe of the most encouraging sighs was the - manner in which the English commercial men were looking for business, Mr Goldberg said. They were certainly following progressive American methods without overdoing them, and they were constantly on the lookout tor trade, especially within '■ the Empire, The British motor car manufacturers were especially alert and were certain to obtain a larger share of the ■lmperial and world .'markets in the near future.

The annual, secondary school competition in French reading, recitation, and conversation held under the auspices of the Dunedin French Club took place at the Otago University on Saturday morning. Eleven candidates presented themselves from various secondary schools in Otago and Southland, The first prize is a , magnificent illustrated History .of France, donated' by the French Government through M. Serre, ■ French Consul at Auckland. A second prize is added by the French Club.'' The test comprised (a) recitation of a piece of French poetry selected by the candidate, (b) reading at eight of' a piece of French prose, (c) French conversation. , The judges were the following officials’of the French Club:—Professor Thompson (president), M. Saldoigne, Madame Saldaigne, and Madame Bcllugue (vice-presidents). The judges are unanimous in their opinion that th« performance of the candidates reflects great credit on the candidates and the teachers concerned,. The results of the.competition were as follows;—First prizp; J. A. Maconie (Otago Boys* High School); second - prize; Lorna Faigan (Otago Girls’ High School) and ' Denise Champtaloup (St. Hilda’s Collegiate School), equal. ' The City Fire Brigade was called to Captain Howie’s hbuse in Forth street shortly after. 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, fire having broken out in the cupboard bousing tbe hot water cistern. Slight damage was done to the cupboard and to the outside Wall of the house. The cause of the outbreak is not .known. The house is insured in the London, Liverpool, and Globe Office for £7OO, and the contents'for £3OO. j The brigade answered an automatic false alarm at 12.22 p.m. yesterday to the premises of Messrs Whitoombe and Tombs, Ltd,, Princes street. i

There are persistent rumours of the possibility of an early session of !Parliament, but (says the Wellington correspondent of the Christchurch Times) the date is not hinted at, as such a session could not happen until Mr Forbes returns to New Zealand. One of the questions that would be considered in the event of a special session is the position of rural mortgagors, faced with the impossibility of meeting interest payments. Some country politicians assert that unless relief is given in this direction thousands of farmers may have to walk off their properties. "The general public hardly realises the task that confronts an ex-prisoner to secure work of any description," states the twenty-fifth annual report of the Wellington Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, “ Not only does his past operate against him, but so many of his fellowworkmen object to working alongside of him; The way of the transgressor is thus doubly hard.” Continuing, the report states that the finding of suitable employment was always a difficult problem for the society, and but for the assistance of, the Government Labour Bureau little could have been .done.. It was noteworthy; however, that 31 men were found employment during the past year, while over 50 were ‘sent to districts where work was probably to be had, A memorial institute is shortly to be erected in Calgary, Alberta, in honour of the world-famous Canadian North-west Mounted Police, according’ to advice;received in Auckland by Mr C. M.. Croft, Canadian Trade Commissioner. When completed the institute will provide , a Home for aged and needy w Scarlet Riders ” after their days' of active service , ate over. The Police-Veterans’ Association is in charge of the movement, which is under the patronage and support of tha Governor-General of Canada, Lord Wlllingdon, the Prime Minister, the Right Ron. R. B. Bennett, the several provincial Governors, Mr E. W. Beatty, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and Sir Henry Thornton, president of tha Canadian National Railway. It Is hoped to raise a minimum fund of £20,000, a portion of which will be used to acquire property for the erection of the building, while the balance will be invested to yield revenue for maintenance and upkeep, Further funds will be provided by the officers and members of the present force donating one day’s pay each year. Canadians throughout the world are being asked to contribute to the scheme.