FUSION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18423, 2 July 1925, Page 8

FUSION.

JULL IN PROCEEDINGS. I REFERENCES IN HOUSE. (srsaAL to "zsr, tress.") "WELLINGTON, July 1. .'or the moment ihcre is a pause in til fusion negotiations. Questions of piiey formed the burden of the first rfort, since, then various other matters live been discussed, and it 13 underfed that the Liberals have now aban Jned, not only proportional representtion, but preferential voting as well. "Jo main difficulty in the way now is t arrangement in tho electorates, ills is admitted by both sides to profnt difficulties, especially as it is not ?r caucus meetings to dictate to the jcetors. When the Address-in-Keply debate /as resumed in the House of licpresenatives this afternoon, Mr T. M. Wilord, the Leader of the Opposition, was jbscnt, and Mr T. K. Sidey spoke to a istless House. He had evidently had ittlo time to prepare his speech, and lealt with general matters at first, carefully arriving at the subject of fusion. While he was talking on tho subject of :clectricity, however, the Labour members raised a laugh by asking "What about fusion?" Mr Sidey retorted that he was speaking about the manner in which olectricity could bo used. Mr Sidey did not avail himself of his full time, and concluded his- speech with a referenco to fusion. "Why," ho asked, "cannot we got together, apart from, party, for the good of tho country!" A Labour member: You will be together in a week or two. (Laughter.) Mr Sidey: I know it is not practicable at tho present moment, but I believe everyono is anxious to do his part, and, if the opportunity comes, to promote tho interests of this .great and glorious country. Mr Atmore's Amendment. Mr Atmoro gave the text of the amendment he intends to move, as fol lows; — That it is imperatively necessary in tho best interests of tho Dominion that a strong, stable, national Government should be formed during tho present session, in order to provide a comprehensive policy of reconstruction and economic and social betterment, and by so ministering to the true needs of the people, avert the clanger of a breakdown of representative government and the menace to orderly progress now threatening, owing to the increase of parties and the consequent inability of tho Government to function for the welfare of the State. That no considerations, party advantage, personal ambitions, or claims of candidates should be allowed to block the way to an immediate formation of such a national Government. That in the event of tho parties concerned failing to arrive at an agreement to establish such a Government, full information Bhall bo given to the people, showing the nature of the proposals discussed and the attitude and actions of each Party, so that tho public may then judge those who have failed to put national interests before the interests of parties and persons, and thus proved unworthy of public confidence.

. The Hon. Sir James Parr, Minister of Education, remarked that the speech of Mr Sidey was entirely free from Party bitterness. There were observations in the speech with which he entirely agreed. In fact, lie often asked what separated the lion, gentlemail and himself in politics. Mr Parry (Labour member for Auckland Central): We have been wondering that quito a long time. Sir James Parr: Perhaps I am the more radical of the two. Mr Langstone: You arc in and he is out. Sir James said that the present position was somewhat delicate,, and gentle ■ men were meeting to endeavour to amalgamate the more moderate elements in the House, and it would illbecome him to make any comment od the associations that were going to follow. Mr E. J. Howard: When does the wedding tako place? (Labour laughter.) Sir James: I deprecate the attempts from quarters outside tho two families to hasten the marriage. (Laughter.) Hasty marriages, it lias been my professional experience, often eud in an appeal to tho Divorco Court. Thcss ill-advised interventions by outside parties are not welcome or of the slightest use. It should not be forgotten that this is not a case of love at first sight. To hurry matters will not help tho happy young couple. (Laughter.) A Labour member: Belter look out, or there will be a claim for breach of promise. (Further laughter.) Sir James: There are such things as marriago claims and other things to be settled. Mr Parry: God help the children! Sir James: Tliero is a problem to solve, and it is better to let them go into the matter with goodwill without taking any steps which would prevent a proper and natural alignment of the parties. ' • At a quarter to fivo in the afternoon Mr Holland, Leador of the Labour Party, rose, and moved his no-confidence amendment. In doing so, he made passing reference to the fusion question. Everyone, he faid, would agree that the position in tho House at the present niomeut was far from satisfactory by reason of the negotiations proceeding botwoon the Government and the Liberal Party. An hou. member on the Government side: What are they? Mr Holland: I suppose tho hon. member knows that better than I do. I should say it was a preliminary flirtatious courtship which may or may not end in anything. However, much of the interest has been missing by reason of the fact that both the Government Party and tho Liborals are marking time, and are afraid to say anything that will hurt each others' feelings. He could not help noticing the difference there was in. tho opening speeches of tills debate as compared with, other debates. Another Beform Caucus. Immediately after the House rose at 9.30 to-night, tho Reform Party went into caucus to consider further the question of fusion, but at 11.55 p.m, the Hon. J. G. Coates stated that there was still nothing to report.