PROSPECTS ARE SMALL

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 6

PROSPECTS ARE SMALL

FjOR IMMEDIATE ALLIANCE

WHICH SIDE SHOULD MAKE FIRST ADVANCE.

(HI TELIOIUPH.—SPECIAL TO THE TOST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The "Star," in discussing the political situation, says there is not the slightest doubt that the talk of amalgamation between the Reform Party and the Liberal and Labour Parties is increasing in political circles, but the prospects of any immediate* fusion are small. The attitude of some, at least, of the Liberals and Reformers, is that the two parties should come -together under a new and comprehensive name, but there is strong Liberal feeling that the firet official step ahould be taken by the Reform side. In-

deed, in some quarters a definite stand has been taken that unless the Reform Party initiates the movement the Liberals will have nothing to do with amalgamation. If this attitude is general, and indications would suggest for the moment that it is, there .appears to be only the smallest. possibility that the [machinery to produce fusion will be setin motion in the immediate future. Except for a' few disgruntled Reformers, whose numbers, of course, will doubtless swell after the new Cabinet has been appointed, the Government- side appears to be satisfied with things as they exist. They have forfeited the opportunity to go to the country before Parliament meets, which suggests that they feel they can weather the no-confidence motion' that is likely to be. launched early in the session. That being so, there 'would- appear to be no particular reason, from the Reform point of view, why the party should rash the question of fusion. That fact, however, does not finally dispose of the proposal, which is sure to be prominent in the lobbies during the session, and which may quite- reasonably be expected to develop until the question will have to be settled one way or the other. It has to be borne 'in mind that if the Reform Party decided next week to approach the Liberals on the fusion question, they could , n0t...g0 empty-handed. The__Official Opposition 'has a good standing Tn"flie'"Ho'use, and. in'"t!ie"event,of amalgamation-and the birth of'a new party being suggested by the Reformers, it is generally concluded that at least three substantial portfolios would have to be offered to the Liberals. The position would then arise that the Prime Minister, who- will doubtless be Mr. Coates, would have his hands tied in selecting members of his Cabinet, a restriction that he would be likely to consider intolerable. It is improbable that the party under such circumstances would impose such a limitation upon their new leader. That being so, it would appear idle to speculate upon any encouragement towards fusion coming directly and officially from the Reform meeting, to be held on 27th May.