CONFERENCE PROSPECTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1925, Page 5

CONFERENCE PROSPECTS

MANOEUVRING FOR POSITION

HOW NOT TO DO IT.

(Special to “Star.”)

WELLINGTON, June 12. What the public are now waiting for are the names of the representatives who are to ccnier next 1 hursday in endeavouring to find a common basis on which amalgamation of the Reform and Liberal parties can be achieved. This is a subject, however, on which the people will presumably have to exercise patience, as at the moment there is a distinct disinclination.' on both sides to announce the names of the respective nominees. The Liberals have chosen their personnel, but they are apparently waiting for Mr Coates to move before giving the names to the public, holding that the terms of the letter which M r Coates wrote to Mi Wilfoid on June 8. indicate that it was the Prime Minister who would make the first announcement. In that letter, Mr Coates dealt with the date of . the Conference, and the number of representatives from each side, and concluded : “If you will kindly notify me of your decision,. steps can be taken to bring about the nomination, of the prospective personnel." In Liberal circles, these words are interpreted io mean that once MrzWilford signified his acquiescence with the suggested date and other matters put forward, Mr Coates would then make known the Reform nominees, While Mr Wilfoid remains silent, the Prime Minister is equally non-confiding. From conversations, which your cor. respondent had in authoritat ye quarters to-day, -it appeals that the reason for hesitation in announcing names U that whoever was first in the field with the personnel would afford an opportunity for the other side to endeavour to- pick holes., and open up conjectures as to whether this or that representativo was" likely to be in favour of a fusion. For the moment, therefore, both parties : ai - e withholding the names and it remains to be scon which of them will be the first to break the ice.

Of course it is certain that the con ference will fak> place, but there are many difficulties to clear away before a fusion'contract can be sealed, signed and delivered. In 1923, when Reform held out overtures to the Liberals, there was an informal conference in which representatives of the Upper House took part, but it ’ speedily terminated because the Reformers would .not for a moment entertain the first Liberal essential to amalgamation, namelv. the eliminafon of Mr Massey as head of the Government.

By deciding not to attend the coining conference. Mr Wilford has ruled out the possibility of the Reformers 'raising similar object.ons regarding him, which the Liberals raised against i Mr Massey, in 1925, but it is admitted by Liberals that there are numerous othe;» points which Could be put forward at the conference, any one of which may be a sufficient stumbling block to Reformers proceeding with the negotiations. If the Conference is to be successful, there must be mutual concessions, but the Liberals say that if an impassse arises. on what to them is regarded as a vital political principle, then it may well be that this would become a deciding factor in an election campaign, for electors would have to have a, say on any point which was the cause of the conference breaking down. Electoral reform and taxation are only somq of the matters which will enter into discussion, and be. sufficient to raise serious difficulties. Member's of the Liberal Party regard the decision not to contest the' Frank, lin by-election as wise, because it 'will be impossible io tel] which way the Liberal vote goes, thus concealing the Liberals’ voting strength. This is regarded as a good strategic move, for if the Labour candidate runs the Reform, er to a close margin, it will be regarded as a gqpd augury for- the chances of the Liberal candidate, Mr Rea, at the pext general election, as the result would show that Reform has declined in popularity. This is an argument of leading Liberals who assert their infer, mation is that the Labour candidate will poll well.