“STRATFORD EVENING POST” WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1925. IS THE DOOR CLOSED?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 16, 15 July 1925, Page 4

“STRATFORD EVENING POST” WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 1925. IS THE DOOR CLOSED?

The fact that the negotiations for the fusion of the so-called Reform and Liberal Parties as against the supporters of Communism and chaos, have failed to bring about a change that the country undoubtedly desires, will be received with deep regret from one end of New Zealand to the other. The statements of the leaders of both sides of the House make it sufficiently clear at any rate that the responsibility for the rejection must rest with the Government, for it appears from what has been revealed of the conference discussions and caucus considerations that Mr Wilford and his Party were prepared to make every concession to attain the good end desired. Personal considerations were sacrificed and cleavage points of pure party politics were’ not pressed. When at the Conference the Reform representatives came back from their Party caucus with the resolutions they did, <it is difficult to understand on what reaily ,honest grounds the failure was brought about. The Prime Minister in his statement to the House made much of the point that he, as Prime Minister, had no mandate from the electors of the Dominion, but held his position as a result of selection by the Government Party in the House. That is perfectly true, but if Mr Coates rta-

liscs the great need for reconstruc-

tion of Cabinet, and surely he must do so, because such a crying need is voiced by members of his ovn Party, it would surely have been a golden opportunity to act with strength and courage rather than in deference to the wishes of mere Party supporters either in or out of office. The great trouble with modern politics is that opportsnism plays so great a part in a game which is not always too cleanly played. It is not difficult to imagine how very awkward it is sometimes for a leader to decide between Party claims and the country’s real welfare, and Mr Coates has our sincere sympathies in his dilemma, though we regret his decision on this very vital question. On all sides one is impressed with the determination of the people that a National Party, standing for law’ and order and the upholding of our great constitution must arise, and that it shall be a bulwark of safety against the’ insidrouß encroachments of those who are secretly working to bring about anarchy. Outside Parliament, except possibly at election' : 'times, Party counts for very little with the average man or -woman, but everyone who is capable of rational thinking possesses some ideals as to good government and the opposite. There is no good reason at this time for maintaining’’the n ’dlcl line of division between Liberal and Reform, and therefore no real reason why fusion and a National Government should not come about. Possibly some old beliefs'lhay haven't© be shattered and some irreconcilables have to be sacrificed; bilU'tbat will not matter very much if our nation’s security is thereby further safeguarded. We sincerely ’’ hope that, despite all, the door to fusion of sane interests in this Domiriibn is not really closed.