FUSION OF PARTIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21198, 2 December 1930, Page 8

FUSION OF PARTIES.

MR W. DOWNIE STEWARTS PROPOSAL. Under the caption, “A New View o£ Fusion,” the New Zealand Herald editorially discusses Mr W. Downle Stewart’s recent statement in the following terms:— In expressing his individual views on the fusion of political parties, Mr Downie Stewart succeeds, as he so often docs, in being different from the orthodox politician. He approaches the subject with detachment, and shows an ability to see both sides of the question. Mr Stewart does not waste any time considering an artificial alignment of forces intended merely to keep somebody in office, or to keep somebody else out. This, be said, would be resented by the electors. It would, indeed, and so it should be. In suggesting that the difficulties of the times would justify a real national' Government in which all three parties were represented, ha stated an ideal, but bo realises himself that it is an impossible one. He admits the Labour Party would not be likely to enter each an arrangement, thereby' admitting that no really national Government could be formed. It is no use, therefore, spending any time sighing for one. Even the modified form of fusion in face of emergency that he is disposed to favour is made virtually impossible by the purpose he has in mind as calling for it. “ I regard any measure > of fusion as desirable' if it will stop the orgy of uneconomic loan expenditure which threatens to land New- Zealand in the same mess as Australia if persisted in,” says Mr Downie Stewart, There is much to be said for that, but has-there been any repentance expressed for the extravagant promises which committed the United Government to that orgy, has there been any desire shown to stop it, with the aid of fusion or in any other way? There has not. The United Party turns to Labour, which, in the person of Mr Holland himself and several of his closest associates, has the most determined champions of that.orgy of loan expenditure. By associating It with”such a condition Mr Downie Stewart makes fusion of parties appear all the more clearly as an ideal he cherishes, not a practicable proposal in present circumstances.