POLITICAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1925, Page 4

POLITICAL.

MARK A MTSTAKK. LIBERALS AND I’RIMK MINISTER. WELLIXOTOX, July ill). “T am not going to liold ail inquest iicer, lint will lie brief,” was Air Alushters's preliminary refereme to the fusion negotiations in which he took partus it member of the negotiating commit tec. Tie declared that the matter had rested entirely with the Prime .Minister to bring about or otherwise.

“f miv wo made a mistake.” eontinned Air A 1 asters. “We thought the Prime Aliuister was a strong man. He is not. We thought he had national ideals. He has not. AVe thought he would at least associate himself with the progressive element of his own party. He did not. AVe never thought for a moment that the Prime Alimster would be clay in the hands of the. squatters of this Dominion, but he

Afr Coates: It is very unfair, perfect l.v unjustifiable. Mr Afnsters: I know the position. Ask the Aliuister of Lands, who knows. He was the influence against the fusion element. He fought fusion all the way. Ask the- younger type of Reformer what they knew about -it. Very little. Once they got, out of iho i aliens the light took place, and the Aliuister of Lands knows perfectly well that the Reform organisation and the squaLtocracy of Now Zealand were responsible for crushing fusion. (Ministerial laughter.) Air Afnsters suggested that Ministers coil id smile, but not hopefully. “Wo are used to the Prime A 1 mister's flippant smile and toss of the head. ’ continued Air Afnsters. “but it is not very material. People will see that, tit" Prime Aliuister is not a strong man.” Air Coates: AVe will see.

Mi- Masters: Yes. and so fur ns f am concerned I will help them to see. Muke no mistake, tlie people will realise the position, and «e ''ill know what it will lie after the election.” As a critic of both sides. Mr T.nngstone affected wondering surprise that the “confusionists” were still wranging. Ho thought, they had stopped worrying about who was to get in and who had to get- out to suit other politicians. When election day came the public could decide who was right and who was wrong. (‘'{Tear. hear. ’ from hot!i sides of the House'. AIANAKAU SKAT. AUCKLAND, dulv 30. Air John Afnssev. farmer. oi'Mawgere. brother of the late Air AA . h. Afnssev, lias been nominated by the Manukaii Branch of the New Zealand Political Reform League, as the official Reform candidate for Manakau. m place of Mr L. A. Johnson, who has retired.