FUSION ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1925, Page 4

FUSION ISSUE.

R KPORT DRAWX IT. [liT TKLEGHAI'fl —PER PltKllS ASSOCIATION WKUJXGTOX. June 20. The hi-i stage in the amalgamation of the Reform and l.iheral-Labour parti's litf been ci in) leteil. This morning a conference of delegates from each side concluded the business for which they had I ecu engaged since Thursday afternoon. The joint report* - !' now in the hands of the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition. The delegates sat until 9.1*) o'clock last night, and it was agreed that Air J. A. Young, leader on the Reform side, should draft the report. Air Young did not complete his labours until 2 o’clock this morning. This morning the delegates met again to consider the report as drafted, and finally it was approved. each

party having a copy for presentation to its leader.

Mr Young subsequently informed a ; “Rest” reporter that the conference j had resolved that no details of v.hai had taken plate should be cc.ninniiii-a- J ted to the l’re-A,- but he stated that the delegates had conferred with the greatest earnestness, and the proceedings had been marked by the utmost goodwill and harmony throughout. Ii i- believed that the conform- . reached a favourable point towards the object in view, but it will now be tor the caucuses of both parties to decide what the next step shall be. The lead-r of the l.iberal-l.nhour party (Mr Willard) declined to say anything this afternoon beyond remarking that he had received the report. The Prime Minister stated ih ;< the Reform Party's caucus would i a take place until after Parliament met next Thursday. Air Coates said that it would be impo—ihle to hold a tam-ns of the members of the Reform Party would not arrive in Wellington before that day. in reply to a question the Prime Minister -aid ho would not Miimiit the ivp.irt t • th>- ea ueits as that would be the duly of the ilo’egr.t"s who had conferred with the Liberal members.