NATIONAL PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 76, 30 March 1935, Page 11

NATIONAL PARTY.

ELECTION POLICY. REFORM AND UNITED. STATEMENTS TO BE ISSUEIi. (By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Although the Coalition will face the country at the general election in December as a national party, it is clear that there will be 110 permanent fusion between the Reform and United groups. Statements defining tho future relationships of tho Government party will bo issued by the Prime Minister (Mr. Forbes) and the Minister of Finance (Mr. Coates) over the week-end. It is already revealed that, I although the United section of the Coalition is anxious for the permanent merger of the two parties, the Reform group is opposed to this course of action. It is even hinted that, x in the event of the United party pressing its desires in this respect, tho collapse of the Coalition would be the inevitable result. Growth of Rival Parties. In view of the fact that both Mr. Coates and Mr. Forbes will be absent from New Zealand for at least three months, the rank and file of the members of the Coalition represented to their loaders the.need of negotiating a definite agreement so that a uniform policy could be worked to in the approaching Parliamentary contest. They were frankly concerned by the extensive organisation of the Labour party, tho apparent growth of the Democrat party, and the absence of an organisation in the country for themselves. It was felt, it is understood, that supporters of the Government should have some common gathering ground and that there should be a directional point to which they could turn for guidance.

United members are understood to be of the opinion that there should be permanent fusion, but the majority of the Reformers apparently are not prepared to go the full length advocated by their political colleagues. Prime Minister's View. Initiative in the present development was taken by the Prime Minister himself. who, it is gathered, has communicated his wishes on the subject to Mr. Coates. - Mr. Forbes is known to hold the view that, as both groups have worked so well and effectively in harness since 1931 it is desirable and expedient that they should be welded into one force, According*!/ he has communicated his opinions on the subject to Mr. Coates, with the object of having an agreement arrived at and a joint statement issued before his departure on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Mr. Coates, who necessarily would be influenced to a large extent by the views of his supporters in the House is yet to be convinced of the desirability of permanent fusion and is not likely to welcome any approach that will involve the establishment of a permanent National party. He agrees, it is understood, and in this respect has the backing of his supporters, that the reasons which led up to the signing of the party truce in 1931 are still applicable to-day, but that, 011 the other hand, there is neither need nor justification for any move that might result in causing the identity of the Reform, party to be lost.