THE SUGGESTED FUSION

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 23 May 1919, Page 5

THE SUGGESTED FUSION

NO OFFICIAL OVERTURES MADE

Political matters were briefly discussed by the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, in the course of an interview he aqcorded a Christchurch Press representative recently. Mr Mac Donald!, who is acting-leader of the Liberal Party during the absence of Sir Joseph Ward, was asked if he ha<3 any statement to make regarding the amalgamation of the better elements of the Reform and Liberal Parties advocated by the Reform caucus and later by Sir James Allen. Mr Mac Donald said no overtures had been made to him by the other side, and the matter had never been discussed by either party at a conference so far as he knew. Mr Mac Donald was curious to know who constituted the better elements of both parties. In reply to further questions, Mr Mac Donald said no word hadl yet been received as to the arrival back in' New Zealand of the party leaders. No arrangements had therefore yet been made as to the holding of the session, and nobody could say how long it would last.