THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18405, 11 June 1925, Page 8

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

FUSION PROPOSAL.

MR WILFORD AGREES TO DATE OF CONFERENCE. (srECIAL TO "THE TRESS.") WELLINGTON, June 10. The following letter was sent to-day to the Hon. J. G. Coatcs by Mr T. M. Wilford:— "As you state in your letter of yesterday that it will be impossible for some of your representatives to be in Wellington before June 18th, I agree to that date for the conference of four representatives from each party to discuss the proposed merger." - The Representatives. It is understood that the Liberal executive to-day elected their four representatives to attend the Reform-Liberal conference. So far the Raines have not been made public here, but it is understood that Messrs Sidey, Forbes, Horn, and cither Mr Masters or Mr Veitch are likely to be members of the delegation. On the Reform side the Hon. A. D. McLeod will probably head the list of representatives chosen.

An Ex-Minister's View.

Passing reference to the political situation was made by the Hon. Roderick McKenzie in the course of his remarks, at the Seddon Statue this morning. The present situation, he said, was something like what it was when the Ballanee Government was first formed, with the difference that at that time there were only two parties. Many newspaper editors, politicians, and others agreed now that it was time the present three-party system was done away with. Mr McKenzie expressed the opinion that it should be done away with in every country. There was one thing ho felt he could say with confidence, and that was that Liberalism in New Zealand would novor be abolished by any party whatevsr. (Hear, hear.) It might become weaker—the Reform Party had been far weaker than the Liberal Party was to-day—and he felt confident that a man would arise as surely as Mr Seddon arose in 1893 to revive Liberalism and restore the party to its former strength. He had no doubt that the majority of those present that day would do their utmost to bring that about. Tho Labour Party had some very strong adherents, but he did not think they were as strong as thoso of the old Liberal Party. The Socialism of that past Administration had conferred enormous benefits on the country, and ho-had no doubt, whichever party gained power, that the legislation passed by Mr Seddon and his Government would be kept on the Statute Book of New Zealand.

Mr Lysnax's Position. As I indicated last night, Mr "W. D. Lysnar intends to continue his support of the Eeform Party. To-day he said: "My position is exactly the same as it was when I stood and was elected at the last election. lam prepared to support Mr Coates in any Government that may bo formed under him, in the same way .as I supported Mr Massey. Anything which arises out of the Vestey Commission, which is now sitting, has no bearing on my political attitude. I have never allowed the matter to influence me in the past, and will not in the futuro. So long as the Government in power legislates in the direction which I think is in the intorests of the Dominion as a whole, it will have my support. I was, of course, ejected as an independent, and I retain that position."

Regarding fusion, Mr Lysnar said that he had made his position on that head perfectly clear in the House last session. ' Ho was very strongly of the opinion that there should bo fusion, and that fusion should tako place before the session, and before .the General Election. Fusion should be based on certain principles, and future legislation should be defined. That being so, added Mr Lysnar, any new party should endeavour to make good at the forthcoming session, and legislate so far as there was time at their disposal to meet those principles. Something more than words and promises was needed. "Tho country, is tired of promises," declared Mr Lysnar. "It wants the, goods 'delivered. If the new party cannot deliver all the goods at the coming session, then they should deliver all they can."