REFORM PARTY’S ATTITUDE

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 62

REFORM PARTY’S ATTITUDE

MR COATES’S REPLY ENDORSED. PALMERSTON NORTH, May 20. A meeting of representatives of the Reform Party was held at Marton last evening, when the question of fusion between the United and Reform Parties was fully discussed, and the following resolution was unanimously carried:— “That this meeting of members of the Reform Party, representing the electorates of Wanganui, Rangitikei, Orana, Palmerston North and Manawatu, having carefully considered the proposals of the United Government to form a National Party is of the opinion that the offer should have been made two years ago, and not on the eve of a general election. That the reply of Mr J. G. Coates, a dignified one, fully sets out the position, particularly in offering assistance to the Government, and meets with the approval of this meeting, which considers any proposal for fusion should be considered after the next election, if either party is unable to form a Government.” ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT. At a meeting of the Hamilton executive of the South Auckland group of the Reform Party comprising the electorates of Hamilton, Raglan, Waikato, and Waitomo, a resolution was unanimously carried expressing complete concurrence in the reply of Mr Coates declining the suggestion of fusion.