TALK OF FUSION.

Wairarapa Age, 17 May 1930, Page 5

TALK OF FUSION.

COMMENT ON SIR J. WARD’S RESIGNATION. VIEWS OF AUCKLAND LABOUR MEMBERS. MR. COATES DECLINES TO’ COMMENT . AUCKLAND, May 16. The Auckland members of Parliament have little to say concerning the political situation created by Sir Joseph Ward’s impending resignation. One or two of the Labour members express belief in an ultimate fusion of Reform and United. The Bight Hon. J. G. Coates (Leader of the Opposition) on his arrival from Wellington, refused to comment.—(P.A.) A BRITISH TRIBUTE. LONDON, May 15. The “Daily News,” in a leader, pays a tribute to the moving dignity of Sir Joseph Ward’s farewell. The address, it says, has'provided the best answer to those inclined to sneer at Parliamentary institutions as a mixture of babble and intrigue. It is a nobletempered expression of the finer side of Parliament. MR. WILF ORD’S EULOGY. LONDON, May 15. “Thirty years’ political association has taught me to regard him as a broad-minded Imperialist with a big heart, a generous hand, and a worldwide view,” said Mr. T. M. Wilford (High Commissioner for New Zealand), in paying a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward. “His resignation is an irreparable loss to New Zealand.” OLD ALLIANCE ENDED. STATEMENT BY MR. POLSON. NELSON, May 16. In a statement in reference to the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. W. J. Polson, Independent M.P. for Stratford and President of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, stated that the country would regret the cause of the resignation. Sir Joseph had devoted his life to the country’s- service and even those who disagreed with his politics would share in the regret that his health had forced him to lay down the reins of office. That he had done the right thing there was no doubt. Who was to succeed him was another question that the United Party would have to decide for themselves. The resignation would throw the whole political situation into the melting pot and whoever aspired to Iqgd the party would require to bring down a new and statesmanlike policy. Old alliances would be no longer binding and unless the new leader was able to satisfy the country his reign might be short. Mr. Polson said he believed that everything would depend upon the policy. The new policy, to succeed, must show appreciation of the problems of the country, provide fundamental remedies for unemployment, reduce costs and create economies in keeping with the times, instead of maintaining post-war expenditure with a pre-war income, and give the country sound taxation readjustments. A bold land settlement scheme was an absolute essential to success. Such policy would bring support from many who were entirely blinded by purely party considerations. At all events an opportunity existed for a leader to weld together interests now divergent. Whom the United Party would select for that task, he had no idea.—(P.A.) MR. HOLLAND’S REGRET. PERPLEXING RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEW LEADER. TAUPO, May 16. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, addressed a meeting tonight, and made a reference to the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward. He said that as a political opponent of the Prime Minister he desired to join with every section of the people of the Dominion in sincerely regretting that, as a result of his illness, Sir J. Ward should have found himself compelled to resign. He paid a high tribute to Sir J. Ward’s strong personality, and said that his hold on the allegiance of a large section of the people was responsible for the measure of success achieved by the United Party at last election, for it was fully recognised that no other Liberal leader could have succeeded in bringing together in one camp the diversity of political interests which made up the United Party. Whoever might be chosen to succeed Sir J. Ward as Parliamentary leader, would undertake a perplexing responsibility and none would envy him his task. It was a tribute to the popularity of Sir J., Ward that in the evening of his life he had ben able to win his way back to the Premiership, and his strongest opponents, equally with his most ardent supporters, would join in wishing him the speediest possible recovery from his illness and full enjoyment of the rest which he had now decided to take. (P.A.)