THE MYSTERY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18402, 8 June 1925, Page 8

THE MYSTERY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE PATH. (special to "the press.") Juno 7. There is a certain amount of mystery surrounding the negotiations of the Liberals with tho Beform Party in regard to fusion. As far back as May 27th it was announced that the Beform Party had been approached by a, representative of certain members of Parliament of the Liberal Party. Following this (on June 3rd) the Hon. J. Goates communicated with the representative of the Liberal members, and suggested a ponferenco of three from each side, excluding the Party leaders. Yet Mr Wilford, in his letter of June 4th, states that nothing had been done, and subsequently in his Tetter of June sth says that he had not received any information from anyone as to what had happened at the Beform Caucus in regard to a conference. Ho added that he felt sure, also, that no member of his Party had done so,/

The inference drawn from Mr Wilford's statements is that some members of his. Party have been negotiating behind his back. This, coupled with the fact that Mr Wilford himself , does not desire office in whatever Government . may be formed after a fusion takes place, leads to the further conclusion that a disintegration of the Liberal Party is taking place. The Roskill want-of-coh-fidence strengthens the conclusion, and it is being freely stated here that if tho Liberal Party does remain in ; existence, it will be under a now leader.

In regard to the two-Party conference, tho general opinion seems to favour a conference composed of three members from the Reform Party and three from the Liberal Party, excluding the leaders of each Party. I understand that the Reformers are quite willing to agree to a conference convened on those lines. The absence of the leaders would undoubtedly lead to a freer discussion than if they were present, and perhaps obviate a tendency to undue bargaining. It docs not,- however, follow that any such conference decision in favour of fusion would bring about ani. immediate fusion. There would no doubt be members and candidates on each who would insist on their rights to stand as candidates at the coming general election, and there would certainly also he some constituencies in which both Reform and Liberal sup--porters would not at this late hour agree to pull out their chosen candidates.

These are two of the difficulties in the way of any definite and final fusion until after a general election. There were also others. In addition there is always the danger that precipitate action may make the three-party system more dangerous than it is at present.