FEDERAL POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16942, 17 January 1923, Page 5

FEDERAL POLITICS.

A PROPOSED FUSION. w By Telegraph—Press Associatinnva‘nm-rigm. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. .‘\IJ'CLBUK'R-NE, .sz'luar); 1(3, The first uttempi. to find .‘1 basis for uniting the hauonullst umlr'L‘ullngm' i‘urues in forming an AmninistraLinn in “hicli lioLh panics will [)0 repro—somed, and both are able Lo support, wax» made 10-day. ‘ After Jengt-hily discussing the ques—[ion of seeking a confcrmu-e ’with due Country Purl}: from which tho I’ross was strictly harl‘ed. it is understood that a proposal adopting my expi-ossinn ol' (-mxlivlmu-e in Mr W, M. Hughox nus brought up. A fairly strong section ul' llK' party expresxml u DUIHILEd disinvlinutinn 10 continue under his leadership. alsu le opinion Lliél: snrh a l“:l(i0l‘Slli]) would prove destrurtix‘o Lo any (ham-n nl~ sw— L-m'ing le cry-opomiiun ul‘ thv ('ulllL try Party in 'l’m'l'uing a Government. The rlirvnssiun was (-unniliz-uliwl h)- allogatiuns made liy various members. founded on rumour or otherwise. )‘F‘gal'l’lillg the intention: n? 1110 Government. and that Mr Hughes. (1‘: a final resort. was determined nm to relinquish the leadership of the (Erwernmenl. ’ Eventually an expi‘esgion nl' ('nnlidcnce in Mr Hughes {IS loader m” the National Party was: parmml‘ 1m (hc understanding that it \vac ll \‘UIC with» out an implication. and that it mwnml ihc way to the adoption nf .'i :v'JlHZiTfluent resolution providing for nanny tiiitions‘ with the (bunny Party. The meeting then appointed a delegation to confL-r with thr; ("Gunny Party, The latter also hold a short mcefing and adjourned. pending the result of the Nationalist gathering. which. at times. was of an animated Character. and disclosed a decided div \‘Crgence of \‘iC\\‘_\' amongst members.