CONFERENCE OF PARTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 12

CONFERENCE OF PARTIES.

REFORM AND COUNTRY.

NO TALK OF FUSION

A suggestion circulated yesterday that the conference between representatives of the> Reform and Country Parties on Monday was held to consider amalgamation of the partias is emphatically denied by the two spokesmen, the Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon. J. G. Coatcs, and Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union.

"Wo considered nothing but economic questions," said Mr. Coatcs yesterday afternoon. "It is quite incorrect to say that political matters were reviewed. The party representatives met simply to exchango ideas on tho position of the New Zealand primary producer at tho present juncture." "There is no truth in tho suggestion that an amalgamation of the Reform and Country Partios was discussed," said Mr. Ross. "Tho official report published in tho Herald states that-tho conference was called to consider tho serious economic position of the primary producer, and that is what took placo. Nothing elso was discussed. So far as amalgamation botween the Country Party and any other political party is concerned, I can only say that while it is prepared to uphold any party that will give effect to the proposals it advocates, the Country Party lias no intention whatever of amalgamating with any other political organisation."