DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1930, Page 7

DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED

REFORM AND COUNTRY PARTIES.

CONSULTATION AT AUCKLAND

By-Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, Nov. 18. There were 14 representatives present last night at a consultation between members of the Reform and .Country Parties. Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, was in the chair. The Reform members of Parliament present were: Messrs J. G. Coates, K. S. Williams, F. Waite, H. G. Diekie, H. M. Campbell and A. Hamilton (Wallace). The proceedings were in camera. The following statement was issued to-day:—“Members of the Reform and Country Parties met last night for the purpose of considering tlie present seiious economic position of the primary producer owing to the continued fall in values for farming products, There was a full consideration of the methods of reducing costs of production.” Officially no further information is available, but developments of a political character are anticipated.

POLITICAL MOVEMENT DENIED.

ONLY DISCUSSED.

Auckland, Last Night.

The suggestion circulated to-day that the conference between representatives of the Reform and Country Parties on Monday was held to consider the amalgamation of. the parties is emphatically denied by two spokesmen, the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr. A. A. Ross, president of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

“We considered nothing but economic questions,” said Mr. Coates this afternoon, ‘‘lt is incorrect to say that political matters were reviewed- The party representatives met simply to exchange ideas on the position of thq New Zealand primary producer.” . _ “There is no truth in the suggestion that an amalgamation of the Reform and Country Parties was discussed, said Mr, Ross,- “The official . report states that the conference' was called to consider the serious economic tion of the primary producer, and that is what took place. Nothing else was discussed. So far as an amalgamation between 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 has no intention whatever of amalgamating with any other political organisation.” <