POLITICAL FUSION

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 7

POLITICAL FUSION

AUCKLAND REQUEST . REFORM LEADER’S REPLY ANTICIPATED MEETINGS OF PARTIES (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, June 24. A denial that he had again declined to agree to a suggestion for fusion was given in emphatic terms by the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, this evening. A communication containing a memorandum urging fusion and signed by Auckland professional and business men was received by Mr Coates to-day, and he said this evening that when he had been approached earlier in the day he had been made to say that his reply would be on the same lines as the answer he had given to the petition forwarded to the leaders of tho two parties some time ago by Wellington business men. Mr Coates said it appeared that his reply had been anticipated. He had made no comment other than to say that the niemoranduni would receive careful consideration and that a reply would be given in due course, probably in a day or two. The Reform Party met in caucus at Parliament House practically all to-day. There were only two absentees, both of whom were accounted for, those present including Mr W. W. Massey, the new member for Hauraki, and Mr A. M. Samuel, member for Thames, who was abroad .when the emergency session was held. An attendance of over 150 delegates is expected at the Dominion Conference of the United Party organization to-morrow. Those present will include members of Parliament, candidates for the next general election and delegates from branches of the party. This will be the first meeting of its kind since that held before the last general election. Many Labour members have yet to arrive in Wellington. It is probable that the party will hold its caucus before the weekend.