The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1935. AN AMALGAMATION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12949, 14 May 1935, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1935. AN AMALGAMATION.

Liberalism is dead and the Reformers are no more. A permanent fusion is announced of the two parties which have- temporarily united over the period of depression to better administer the involved affairs of state and carry into execution a programme of recovery that required the united backing of the two senior parties. Twice in the last twenty years the two parties have temporarily joined issue to face a national need and their decision now fo make the union a lasting one conies as no surprise to most people. Whatever issues separated Reform and Liberal fifteen or twenty years ago seem to have completely disappeared and in the last three year-, especially the remaining barriers were swept aside and members of both parties are practically always of one mind. Politics have developed with the times, the political sense having taken oil a very altered outlook in the last ten years. The hope will be, of course, that the new party will be> ever loyal to the highest standards of statesmanship and good government. A progressive policy 7 of development is essential without undue extravagance and it is particularly important that the two factions, now that they 7 have permanently joined

forces, do not angle for seats in the Cabinet. It is scarcely likely’ that any radical changes will occur in this respect. The member for the district, Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands and at present ActingPrime Minister, is not likeiy to lose any 7 status by’ the amalgamation. In fact, if anything, it is within the bounds of possibility to presume that lie may be even further elevated as opportunity- offers and whatever position he ultimately may hold he will assuredly fulfil with distinct credit to himself and lasting distinction to the district he represents. With no Reform candidate to oppose him at

the next general election this year Mr Ransom’s prospect of being - returned as the Nationalist nominee <s a fairly rosy one at the moment.