FUSION PROPOSAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 148, 25 June 1931, Page 7

FUSION PROPOSAL

/ AIR COATES’ ATTITUDE ( Fer Press Association. I 1 WELLINGTON, Juno 24. 1 A denial that ho had again doclinj cd to agree to suggestions for fusion 1 was given in emphatic terms by the C Hon. J. G. Coates this evening. A ( 1 communication containing a memoranI dum urging fusio i art signed by Auckland professional and business 4 men was received by Air Coates to- , day, and ho said this evening that ' when ho had been approached earlier in tho day he had been made to say t that his reply wou d be on tho same lines as tho anrwer ho had given to , tho petition forwarded tho leaders of tho two parties some time ago by I Wellington business men. Air Coates said it appeared that I his reply had been anticipated. He had made no comment other than to say that the memorandum would receive carexiil consideration, and that > a reply would bo given in due course, probably in a d.ij or two. Tho Reform Party met in caucus at Parliament House practically all today. There were only two absentees, both of whom were accounted for, those present including Air W. W. Massey, the me oer for llauraki, and Mr A. AL Samuel, member for Thames, who was abroad when the emergency session was held. An attendance of over .150 delegates is expected at, the Dominion confor- , enco of the United Party organisation i to-morrow. Those pres, nt will include members of Parliament, candidates t for next general election. and dele- , gates from branches of the Party. This will be tho first, meeting of its kind since that held before last general election. Alany Labour members have yet to arrive, in Wellington. It is probable that, the party will hold its aucus bei fore the week-end.