POLITICAL FUTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1925, Page 8

POLITICAL FUTURE.

FUSION OF PARTIES. END OF THE CONFERENCE. DECISION NOT REPORTED. By Teiegraiih.—Press Association. Wellington. Juno 20. The first stage in the amalgamation of the Reform and Liberal-Labour parties has been completed. This morning the conference of delegates from each -side concluded the business for which they were appointed and on which, they had been engaged since Thursday afternoon. Their report is now in the hands of the Prime Afinister and the Leader of the Opposition. The delegates sat until 9,15 o’clock last night, and it was agreed that Air. J. A. Young, leader on the Reform side, should draft a report. Air. Young did not complete his labours until 2 o’clock this morning. This morning the delegates met again to consider the report as drafted, and finally it was approved, each party having a copy for presentation to "its leader.

Air. Young subsequently informed a Post reporter that the conference had resolved that no details of what had taken place should be communicated to the press, but he stated that the delegates had conferred with the greatest earnestness and that the proceedings had been marked by the utmost goodwill and harmony throughout.

It is believed that the conference reached a favourable point towards the object in view, but of course it will now be for the caucuses of both parties to decide what the next step shall be. The Leader of the Liberal-Labour Party (Mr. T. Al. Wilford) declined to say anything this afternoon, beyond that he had received the report, ‘but the Prime Minister stated that the Reform Party’s caucus would not take place until after the opening of Parliament next Thursday. Air. Coates said it would be impossible to hold a caucus of the members of the Reform Party before Thursday because some of them would not arrive in Wellington, before that dav.

In reply to a question the Prime Alinister said he would not submit the report to the caucus, as that would be the duty of the delegates who had conferred with the Liberal members.

Air. Young returned to Hamilton this afternoon, and Air. O. J. Hawken left for Taranaki this morning. Air. T. D. Burnett, who was one of the Reform delegates, left for the South last night. Mr. G. W. Forbes, who was leader for the Liberal-Labour Party at the conference, proceeds to Christchurch to'-night. THE GENERAL ELECTION. CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED. Wellington, East Night. Sir John Luke, sitting member for Wellington North, will again be a. candidate for the seat. Dunedin, Last Night. Air, Fred. Waite, formerly a major m the Expeditionary Force, has accepted nomination as the Reform candidate for the Clutlia electorate.