FUSION FAILURE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 200, 21 May 1931, Page 11

FUSION FAILURE

Mr. Forbes’s Regrets

LABOUR’S ACTIONS

“No Use Talking to Them!”

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, May 20.

Reference to his recent fusion proposals was made by the Prime Minister, lit,. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in his address at Otahuhu to-night. Mr. Forbes said that as Minister of Finance he recognised the country’s difficulties and the need of the greatest measure of co-oi>eraiton on the part of all if the Dominion were to come through without disaster. He had suggested the formation of a national party, feeling convinced that by such means confidence would more readily be restored both in the Dominion and in the Homeland.

Mr. Forbes said he had invited the Leader of the Opposition and his party and all others who had the best interests of the country at heart to cooperate in the formation of such a party. As far as the Labour Party was concerned, all the response they got was that any action taken by the Government to restore prosperity was fought by that party. The Labour Party leader, Mr. H. E. Holland, had said that if he got into power every penny of the salary “cuts” would be restored. (Loud cheers from a section of the audience.) Every economy would be abolished, and the result would be that the country would be bankrupt in a very short time. (Cries of “No!”) If Mr. Holland and ayone else would come into the party such as suggested it would be quite all right, but when they opposed every economy it was no use talking to them.

Mr. Forbes expressed regret that Mr. Coates had not seen his way on behalf of his party to accept the offer. He believed that supporters of the Reform Party had a desire to form a National Party, and he had not yet lost hope of something being done. He felt sure that the action of the Government in this matter had been, endorsed by a very large body of public opinion throughout the country.

FUSION NOT TIMELY

Provincial Reformers’ View Dominion Special Service

Palmerston North, May 19. The question of the suggested fusion between the United and Reform Parties was discussed at length at Marton last evening when a meeting of representatives of the Reform Party was held for that purpose. The following was the resolution that was passed:— “That this meeting of members of the Reform Party representing the electorates of Wanganui. Rangitikei, Oroua, 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 the general election. That the reply of Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates was a dignified one, and fully sets out the position, particularly in offering assistance to the Government, and meets with the approval of this meeting, which further considers that any proposal for fusion should be considered after the next election if either party is unable to form a government.”