THE COALITION

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 10

THE COALITION

FUTURE OP THE PARTY

REQUESTS FOR CAUCUS

Endeavours aro still being uiado to bring about a caucus of the Government Party in order that tho future relationship of the United' and Reform Parties may bo considered, and when the Prime Minister (the-St. Hon. G. W. Forbes) returned to Wellington this morning there was -^waiting him a memorial signed by a majority of United members asking that a Government caucus should bo called without delay "to consider the permanent merger of. the Reform and United branches of the Coalition."

A similar* memorial is being circulated amongst Reform members, but this has not yet reached the point of being ready for presentation to the Minister of Finance (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates). The Reform memorial asks for a caucus "to consider important business." It is believed that tho majority of members of both parties are in favour of a permanent fusion, and there is also a general desire for some reconstruction of the Cabinet. Past experience has shown, however, that members are not always so outspoken in caucus as they are in tho lobbies, and those members who are taking a leading part in tho agitation for changes may find it difficult to find a great deal of support when the meeting takes place. When questioned this afternoon_ regarding the memorial from the United Party, the Prime Minister stated that he knew nothing of the matter. "I have not received any memorial." he said.