POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19527, 9 July 1925, Page 10

POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

THE FUSION QUESTION. FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS RUMOURED. TEB REPORT UNCONFIRMED (From Oc.b Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 8. There is an unconfirmed report in circulation to-day that the fusion negotiations between the Reform and- the Liberal Parties are at an end. When asked tonight if this were actually the case tne Prime Minister said: “I know nothing of it.” Apparently, therefore, the statement must have had its source in Liberal quarters. . Mr Wilford, however, has nothing to say about it at present. Meantime the Liberals are taking very little part in the no-oonn-deuce debate. It is not expected that a division on Mr Holland’s amendment will be taken until to-morrow evening. Then Mr Atmore’s amendment will be moved. It was thought that the Hon. J. Hauan might be the seconder of this amendment, but it is now understood that it will be seconded by Mr J- C. Thomson, the member for Wallace, who will stand for his present seat at the general election, not as a member of the Liberal Party, but as a Nationalist. “THE PRESENT COURTSHIP.” LABOUR MEMBER’S VIEWS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 8. Speaking on the question of fusion, Mr M. J. O’Brien, the Labour member for Westland, said ho did not know whether the present courtship was going to end in marriage or not. If it did he believed that members of the Labour Party would spread their hands over their heads and say: “God bless you, my children. Get into the one camp.” Perhaps the matter might end in a breach of promise action. Some thought it would end in an affiliation case, but if ever it were brought about those on the Liberal benches would have to repudiate those who were there before them, such as Ballanoe and Seddon. A Labour member: They have done that long ago. Mr O’Brien: They have got to do it thoroughly this time. Those on the Reform Benches world have to repudiate it also. They were prepared in their political intrigue to repudiate anything and everything so long as they could hold up largo sums of money to go back to their friends, and prevent the workers and the pensioners getting their rights in the country. The Reformers had drawn men from the Liberal benches one by one to support them, and now their lines were out and well baited to get the whole bunch in. CHAMPION OF FUSION. DEFINITE POLICY URGED. (Thom Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 8. Mr W, D, Lysnar (Gisborne) championed fusion in his speech on the Address-in-Reply to-night- “I have not had my head behind the scenes in this matter,” he said, ‘‘but every session I have urged that there should be fusion between the parties in the interests of government and a good national Government. This should bo complete, not a half-and-half sort of thing, and a definite policy should be agreed upon.” He had hoped that the House would be asked to pass such a proposal, for it rested with them to show the dominion as a whole that they wore in earnest in the matter. To be effective it must bo on sound lines so that neither one side nor the_ other gave up any reasonable position which it held. Proper fusion, ho added, must be one which would appeal to the electors of the dominion, and unless we had one which applied to the dominion as a whole it would not be much good. There were difficulties unquestionably, but they could be overcome. “I do not wish to say anything,” said Mr Lysnar, “to hamper the negotiations. I did not wish to say anything and I have' held off for that reason, but the country as a whole expects fusion. I have met only one man outside who opposed it. I hope that it has not been thrown overboard, and that the difficulties in the way will be surmounted. Something should be done to bring the two loyal sections of the House together against the Bolshevist, revolutionary element, because it comes to that.” (Labour laughter.) Mr Lysnar: I don’t think wo need trouble at this late stage as to the definition of a Bolshevist. When I oame into this House first our friends were always talking about Russia, That was their pattern, but we don hear much about Russia to-day. A Labour member: No, we hear about bully beef. Mr Lysnar: They’ve quietly dropped it. but it’s the: "9 aU the same—(Labour laughter.) GENERAL ELECTION. THE ELLESMERE SEAT. vEEFOEM CANDIDATE SELECTED. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 8. At a conference to-day, attended by SO delegates from all parts of the Ellesmere electorate, Mr David Jones, chairman of the Meat Export Control Board and formerly M.P. for Kainpoi, was selected as the officla! Reform candidate for the Ellesmere scat at the General Election. IRE WEATHER. CONDITIONS AT ALEXANDRA. (Prom Odb Own Correspondent.) ALEXANDRA, July 8. Last week, in common with all Central Otago, we had a heavy fall of snow, which threatened to lie for some time. However, a thaw set in at the close of the week, and the snow has disappeared from the low levels. Occasionally we have bright sunny days, although this week the weather has been foggy, but extremely mild. On Tuesday rain set in, and showers continued all day, becoming heavier during the night. The glass stands low at present, and a change seems imminent. The river is still exceptionally low, unlike other rivers which have been reported to be in a swollen state. No great quantity of snow has as yet fallen on the high levels, so the water the coming season is by no means yet assured.