MR. FORBES’ DEPARTURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 April 1935, Page 7

MR. FORBES’ DEPARTURE

CABINET MEETINGS HELD

COALITION’S FUTURE

[PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, April 1

The Prime Minister will leave Wellington to-night, for Auckland, on his way to London, to attend the King’s jubilee celebrations and take part in the informal conferences with British authorities on the meat question.

He will be accompanied by Mrs Forbes, Mr C. A. Jeffery (private secretary) and Mrs Jeffery, and Mr H. I. Forde, economic secretary. The party will arrive in London on May 5. Cabinet held two meetings yesterday, one in 'the afternoon, and the other at night. At the conclusion, Mr Forbes said he had nothing to announce, except that it could definitely be stated that Mr Coates would be going to London by the first available vessel.

COALITION TO CONTINUE

[special to “stab.”]

WELLINGTON, March 30.

•Although the Coalition will face the country at the General Election; it is clear that there will be no permanent fusion between the Reform and United groups. Statements defining the future relationships of the Government Party will be issued by Mr Forbes and Mr Coates over the weekend. It is already revealed that while the United section of the Coalition is anxious for a permanent merger of the parties, the Reform group is opposed to this course of action, and it is even hinted that in the event of the United Party pressing its desires in this respect, a collapse of the Coalition will be the inevitable result.

REFORM PARTY’S DECISION.

[SPECIAL TO “STAB.”]

WELLINGTON, April 1

As foreshadowed, there will be no permanent fusion of Government forces, and the statement which Mr Forbes will issue to-night, on behalf of himself and Mi - Coates, will disclose that an agreement to maintain the present Coalition arrangement fox' the 1935 General Election has been arrived at.

The question was discussed at Cabinet meetings yesterday, and for ovex - an hour before midnight, Mr Forbes, Mr Coates, and Mr Masters were in close consultation. In addition, an independent meeting of the Reform section of the Coalition was held by Mr Coates this morning. At this gathering, the attitude of the Reform Leader in insisting upon the preservation of the party status quo was endorsed.