AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145755, 14 February 1917, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN POLITICS.

MORE PARTY NEGOTIATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. AIELBOURNE, Feb. 13. Meetings of Ministerialists and Liborals were held to-day to discuss the terms of fusion and' the selection of a National Government. Tho result is aot yet disclosed. PROSPECTS OF COALITION. NOT VERY BRIGHT. (Received Feb. 14, 10.13 n.m.) AIELBOURNE, Feb. 14. Tho prospects of a coalition are, not as blight as formerly. The Ministerialists agreed to the terms, but the Liberals. after a- protracted meeting, did not como to a definite termination. While the other terms in the agreement wore accepted, they had a lengthy debate on the clause that the conscription referendum decision be respected and passed a resolution that all must he forgotten about the referendum, but, even though compulsory service beyond Australia was banished from their minds, everything possible must be done to bring home to the people the necessity of reinforcements. A further motion was carried that, in view of the seriousness of the. situation, it was urgently necessary for the Minister of Defence to sit in the House of Representative!.. In the Senate, Air. Russell said it was not intended to enfranchise all soldiers at tbe front over eighteen.