REFORM AND LIBERALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 10

REFORM AND LIBERALS.

FUSION NEGOTIATIONS." ■ ■ ■ ONE -QUESTION AT ISSUE. EARLY DECISION ANTICIPATED. (B* TELEGR.tPH.—PEEBS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON. Friday, Matters in connection with the fusion of the political parties now appear to be drawing to a close./ The fifth conference of delegates was held yesterday, after which the Liberal Party decided to defer answers to certain propositions until they were able to consult their leader.- Mr, T, M, Wilford, who at present is indisposed. The fact that Mr. J. A. Young has gone to Auckland to-night and will not return until Tuesday seems to indicate that there is no need for further conferences during the week-end so far as the Reform Party is concerned.

Apparently negotiation by conference has reached finality. From what can be gathered in the lobbies the issues are now reduced down to one question, and on agreement or disagreement on that question fusion or no fusion will depend.' The general feeling is that the negotiations have lasted long enough, and it is expected that there , will be a definite settlement one way or the other during the week-end. (SOVEBHMENT " SITTISfG, TIGHT." PERSONNEL OF CABINET. [BX TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday. The Reform Party is still selecting candidates for various electorates and everything points to the view that the Government is "sitting tight" and is unwilling to make changes in the personnel of the Cabinet or in its party organisation- and election arrangements while the Prime Minister is still new to. office. It is • probable that a public announcement wl'l be made by both sides next week. Whatever the result proves to be,' if fusion does not take place it will be incumbent on the two parties to state their respective cases and justify the failure to reach an agreement. In the Eponse to-night Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellbagton Suburbs) replied to the arguanente' by which he said the Labour Party was making fun of fusion. As a matter of fart, Labour had. been suggesting it for years. "I do not want to give away secrets," he said, "but I can say that the liberals in these negotiations have never tried to selj themselves, but have behaved like gentlemen."