NO OBSTACLES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 45, 21 August 1931, Page 6

NO OBSTACLES

» — \ POLITICAL UNITY

REPLY TO MR. COATES,

To-day Ihe following letter was scut to Mr. in reply to the statement issued by tho Leader of the.Opposition: "Dear Sir,- —As. a committee: acting on behalf of Wellington: signatories to the appoal that the Kcforin and. TJnited Parties should get together, wo .'write to acknowledge your letter 'of/the :15th; instant: addressed' to Mr. Lionel;. Nelson, which letter was published in . the Press on Tuesday. "You are* correct in your understanding that what we had in mind was an' amalgamation of Reform andVUnited —a real amalgamation, based on goodwill and "an: honest determination to guide the country aright' in these troublous times. We are still - convinced that the aims of the two parties are so nearly identical as to present no insuperable obstacles to their complete reconciliation. "You say that Parliamentary history provides precedents of similar combinations that have failed in stabil--ity and permanence. We very much doubt whether any precedent does exist that could bo applied strictly to the economic conditions' we are facing today- and the course of action that has been suggested. "You agree that every avenue should be explored. Whilst appreciating the consideration that must have been given to the matter by your party, we cannot think that exploration of the possibilities could be really effective if carried out by members of one party without discussion and close collaboration with members of the other party. "Presumably we must accept your decision as final. If so, we can only express our very deep regret that your party cannot agree that our aim is a feasible one and finds it necessary to reject our suggestions. On tho other hand, if your decision should be reconsidered and anything can be done to bring about a political situation that will better serve the interests of the Dominion, we "are still more than willing to give any assistance we can to both parties in exploring the possibilities of unity.—Your faithfully, "L. NELSON. "W.-D. HUNT, "D.:j. M'GOWAN,. "R. CAMPBELL BEGG "JOHN MYERS."