THE COALITION PROPOSAL.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15337, 22 July 1915, Page 6

THE COALITION PROPOSAL.

AMENDED OFFER REJECTED BY OPPOSITION CAUCrS.

PARTY DIVIDED.

NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUING

(srECTAI, TO ''THE PRESS." 1 WELLINGTON*, .'':!y -1. The negotiations in rojran! to tho rropo-vxl National Cabinet do not ai> poar to have, been brought to a finality l\v tho further discussion of* iho Govomment's amendod proposals—salt! to iio a four to five ollor-uliioh took plaeo at another imikus of tin* Opposition Party hold this morning. The meeting, which last**.! for about an hour and a half, was attended by nil the members of :ho party, with the exception of Messrs Hornstn- and J. C. Thomson. No official report of tin- caucus was issued, and the iuembcrs who wore present aro very reticei. t as to tho result of. the meeting. It is undoistood. however, that tlio party was not unani mou.s and that the of the Government were rejected by tlie vote of a majority of those present, but that, tho negotiations have not been yet broken oil. Sir Joseph Ward had a conference "his evening with the l'nrne .Minister, but both leaders, on being applied to .subsequently ior information, said that they had lib statement io make, ai.d Lacy were unahio to say wnen the. puDlic were likely to be euiigutened on the subject. It is reported, however, that negotiations axe ocing continued, and the supporters of coalition appear to be SYJII hopeful that something may come of tho prolonged negotiations, which hare now .extended over a. period of three woeks. It is stated that further timo is dosirod. and that it is probable that another meeting of the Opposition Party may bo held in a day or two to further ronsidcr. tho matter. * . HAWKE'S BAY LIBERAL LEAGUE RESOLUTION. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEMiGRAsO NAPIER, July 21. At a meeting of the Mawke's Bay Liberal League oxec-Uive la~,t night, a resolution was passed expressing gratification at tho "formation of f-pecial Defence* Committee, and the opinion that tho work of this committee could be so widened as- to make ali future matters of defence truly national and entirely free from any suggestion of pairty. The resolution adds , "Thi> meeting favours this course in preference to the proposal for a National Cabinet, which is opposed to the best interests of the State, in that it may stifle *I 1 criticism of taxntijn proposals and administrative blunde-s ?nd deprive the country of one of its greatest safeguard:—a vigil iiit Opposit ion This meeting asks Sir Joseph Ward to lead tho Liberal Party in its express intention ■of assisting in all matters of defence, but urges on him not to endanger the future of the Liberal-Labour- Party am! its great democratic principles by accepting offico i in a Conservative Cabinet."