FUSION UP AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 14

FUSION UP AGAIN.

MR. WILFORD MOVES. DOESN'T WANT POIAfOLtO. "SlxSßfit MttjbiLkcY" xi_mim-tt. REPLY TO BARGAINING ACCtJSAtfI&K. (By T*le«r, ph.— Parliamentary Reß*«*W WELLINGTON, ThttUdky. Fusion gained new vigour to-a*y, Ana lifted its head high in the Hotttt ot Representatives, clear of the fog Of caucus and publicly proclaiming its abandonment of the entanglements of "aecret diplomacy." Incidentally, there were revealed some hitherto unpublished phases Of the, "secret diplomacy 1 * by Which th* negotiations for fusion between the Reform and Liberal parties Were carried on. Mr. Wilford, in reply to tha member for Egmont (Mr. Hawken), asked why had not the hon. member read the letter that was presented by Mr. Young: on behalf of the Reform party in between the time the conference broke up between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. This, said Mr. Wilford, was a suggestion on the part of the Government group that the representatives of parties should be on a basis of twelve Ministers, and that on the present strength of the Government and the Liberal parties in Parliament, the Government should have eight Ministers and the Liberals four. Labour Member: Oh! What about that! Mr. Wilford: That suggestion is in the member for Hamilton's own writing. After one and a-half days* discussion, went on the Leader of the Opposition, the Reform Government suggested that a Cabinet should he formed of seven Reformers and four Liberals. He (Mr. Wilford) declared that Mr. Coates, as leader of the new party, had the constitutional right to pick his own Ministry, and the Liberal party agreed to this. | Apparently, went on Mr. Wilford. the fact had not been noticed that he had not personally seen the Prime Minister until all correspondence between the parties had finished—not until . a day or two after the Prime Minister's letter which declared fusion to be "impracticable for reasons set out." Then he went to the Prime Minister to bring it off—he didn't want anything- fOr himself.

The Prime Minister: Did you not want a portfolio? Mr. Wilford: I discussed every member on the Prime Minister's side and on my side. I went to have a private chat, and I would not like to repeat all that was said about private individuals. The Prime Minister: Better not. (Laughter.) Mr. Wilford: No—

The Prime Minister: Oh, some very nice things were said.

Mr. Wilford: Well, we are come dowa to this position now: The Reform papers have tried to create the impression that it was our side that blocked the road. It was not so, and I give my word that I did not demand 4 portfolio for our side at any time, and that it waa t who moved the resolution in our caucus that the Prime Minister should have a free hand in the distribution of portfolios. It was not our side who blocked fusion.

The Prime Minister: Why did it sot take place then?

Mr. Wilford: Because the Prime Minister could not move some of his aide. I will put it quite plaitfy. The Prime Minister: Do so.

The Minister of Agriculture: Put it boldly.

Mr. Wilford declared he would be straightforward nnd renounce secret diplomacy. (Labour Hear, hears.) He would make his offer in public, across the floor of the Cffamber.

"Here is my offer," he continued. "(1) My resignation As leader of the National party; (2) the making, of a new party at once in order to secure sound, stable Government, with myself excluded from any portfolio; (3) The formation of a National party for national development and social benefit, the matter of all Cabinet portfolios to be left entirely to the Prime Minister; the problems relating to candidates to be settled by mutual agreement. I make that offer publicly. Let us have no more negotiating in our rooms. Let us have it out here." Mr. Wilford then resumed his seat amid applause from both side* of the House.