THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 8

THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT

MR. RANSOM'S APPROVAL OTHER MINISTERS* ATTITUDE [BT TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Monday Ministers were disinclined to comment to-day on the statement issued by a representative of the committee which carried out negotiations between the Reform and United Parties. The acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, said it met with his approval. The Hon. R. Masters said there was nothing to add to the statement issued, while the Hon. C. E. Macmillan said the position was very much the same as that existing after the joint statement of the two leaders.

The essential portions of the statement, which the acting-Prime Minister said met with his approval are as follows:—"The amalgamation of the Reform and United forces in national politics has been effected. It is officially announced by a representative of the executive committee, which carried out the negotiations for a political understanding. that the new organisation has begun operations under the designation of the National Political Federation with headquarters in Wellington. Mr. D. Ardell, who recently retired from the Department of Internal Affairs, has been appointed organiser for the federation and begins his duties forthwith. Now that the amalgamation of the parties has been achieved with the approval of their respective organisations throughout the country it follows that all their activities will carried out with complete unity as a National Government and that all the National Political Federation candidates at the general elections will stand as Nationals."