REFORMERS MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 27 May 1925, Page 6

REFORMERS MEETING

CAUCUS THIS AFTERNOON

LEADERSHIP AND AMALGA-

MATION,

The caucus of the Reform Party to discuss the question of leadership of the party, and the possibilities of amalgamating with the Liberals, opened in the Government Whips' room of the ' new Parliament Buildings this afternoon, and was continuing'as "The Post" went to press. Regret was expressed at- the death of Mr. Massey, and a tribute was paid to his great services.

Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P. for Gisborne, is not present at the caucus, but Colonel Allan Bell and Messrs. L. JYI. Isitt and G. Wittj-j M.P's., are in attendance. Mr. Isitt stated to a "Post" reporter this morning that ho would attend the- caucus, not in the capacity "of a' member of the Reform Party, but in terms of the wording of the invitation, Namely, "A meeting of those members of the House of Representatives who have supported Mr. Massey's Government dining the present Parliament." He would express his views on the question of fusion, or such-like question, which arose, but would not vote on the question of leadership of the Reform Party. Several members of the Reform Party, interviewed this morning, made no secret of the fact that they intended to urge at the caucus that an immediate endeavour should be made to bring about unity with the Liberals in order that the moderate elements in polities might be able to present a united front to the extremists. It was admitted, that the question of Cabinet appointments presented a difficulty right away, especially if the new leader is given a free hand and elects to choose a Cabinet which ■would include members of the Liberal Party as at present constituted.- The view was put forward, however, that it was necessary in the interests -of the country to go to the electors at the General Election, whenever it comes, with undivided strength, and with the old party differences and shibboleths swept away". To that end personal de-sii-es should not be allowed to hamper whatever opportunities present themselves to the new leader to find a means of overcoming the situation as it exists at. the present time.

One Reform member, Mr. V. H. Potter (Roskill) said that he intended to advocate a somewhat different course at the caucus in order, in the long run, to bring about an amalgamation. Un the basis of the present numerical strength of the Reform and Liberal Parties, he held that not more tlian,' say, three scats in the Cabinet could be offered to the Liberals at present, and it was more than probable that any offer made- in- that direction would prove unacceptable. He was therefore going to urge that the first business of the caucus should be to change the name of the Reform party to the National Party. Once a change of name had been agreed npon, the caucus could .proceed to appoint.the leader of the party, the subsequent step oeing the formulation of a new policy, which -would be likely to appeal to the majority of the people of the Dominion. The party could then go to the country after the coming session, as a National Party,, and it could be left quite open to the Liberals to ally themselves with it without involving any change of pledge, or marked sacrifice of political creed. In his opinion, it would be _very difficult for Liberals to refrain from amalgamating once a National Party with a national policy was brought into being. The differences separating tho Reform and Liberal Parties wore no more than "Tweedledum and Twiddledee," and there was no reason at all why they should not link up. Proportional representation and a cry for the establishment of an agricultural bank were about the only two things which ivere at present keeping them apart, but not all the Liberals were in favour of proportional representation, while the demand for an agricultural bank was merely a political catch-cry, designed to appeal to the farming interests. Mr. Potter said that he was going to advocate that the Hon. J. G. Coates should be appointed the leader, of the National Party, because he was undoubtedly the best man available for tho position. Colonel Allen Bell, interviewed just before th© caucus assembled, made the following- statement:—"There is no reservation about my position in regard to the Prime Ministership. I wa nt to see the best available man in that office and I think we can look with the most hope to Mr. Coates.. In the event of a ballot being taken I will cast my vote in his favour."

Most of those members interviewed today seemed to think that the choice of leadership would fall on Mr. Coates but it was stated that in the event of there being anything like a- difference of opinion on the subject it might be agreed to leave Sir Francis Bell in charge of tie Government for the time being^until tilings political had become more normal iind until tho Hon. W. Downie Stewart arrived on tho scene to bo consulted personally. r

Sir Francis Bell has stated that as soon as the party leader in the Houfo ond tlio country has been chosen ho will tender to His Excellency the resignation of the Uovernment, and if His Excellency thinks fit to then ask his advice, he would be in a. position to speck confidently on behalf of the party, am! to name the leader to whom it 'is desired that the du(,y of forming the new Keform Government should bo entrusted Whether- Sir Francis Bell will then take advantago of the opportunity to resign from I-lib Legislative Council' and retire from political life, as is believed to be his desire, is not yet known