MR. MASSEY AND FUSION

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 156, 20 March 1923, Page 6

MR. MASSEY AND FUSION

QUITE WILLING BUT RESENTED CONDITIONS SUGGESTED f by Telegraph.—Special Correspondent. Tauranga, March 19. Reference to the recent parliamentary movement towards a fusion of the main parties was made by tho Primo Minister in the course of his interesting speech this Afternoon to an enthusiastic meeting of Katikati settlers. Mr. Massey had discussed the political situation, and inoidentaTy mentioned the possibility of a dissolution if the Liberal candidate for Tauranga were elected. “Why not form a. Coalition Government if Sir Joseph Ward gets in?” asked a lady who had frequently commented with brisk shrewdness during the Prime Minii;tcr’s speech. “I am not going to humiliate myself or party by agreeing to unreasonable conditions,” declared Mr. Massey in reply. Several private members had discussed the matter, and he had informed them that if they agreed to a fusion there would he no holding back on his part. He was prepared, he had told them, to become a private member and take a. seat on the back benches. “Thev came back to me,” explained the Prime Minister, “and Kiaid that tho conditions submitted were humiliating and positively insulting.” That is tho position to-day. Mr. Massey made it clear that if the Government were put out, Ire would ask the Governor-General to grant him a dissolution.