AWAITING MR. FORBES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 9

AWAITING MR. FORBES.

MANY POLICY QUESTIONS.

FARMERS IN NEED OF AID

PROBLEM OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this clay

Important matters of policy await the decision of the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, on his return from the Imperial Conference to-mor-row. Mr. Forbes has kept closely in touch with affairs in the Dominion since he left for England nearly five months ago, and those who spoke to him on the radio telephone when he was in Sydney last week were pleased to find that he was acquainted with conditions and apprised of recent occurrences. One of the first questions to claim attention will be the giving of assistance to farmers and others who are temporarily unable to meet their financial obligations. Much information of a valuable nature has already peen gathered by the Government from various sources, and it is understood that the latest investigating body to be appointed, the special Economy Committee, will have important recommendations to make in the near future.

It was frankly admitted in an official statement some time ago that the Government was concerned over the unexpected fall in revenue, and this has led to a. further effort to cut down national expenditure,

In spite of the opinion that the responsibility for curing- unemployment has fallen upon the shoulders of the Unemployment Board, it i 6 clear from recent developments that the Prime Minister will be called upon to. give this question hie immediate attention. . Associated with this issue at the moment is that of railway construction. Without Government assistance, it will be impossible to absorb the great body of men now without positions. This is fully realised By Cabinet, which lias given attention to the question to the extent of considering large development and other schemes of a national character.

The Prime Minister will also have to make the final decision whether the Government will call an early session of Parliament in order that the general economic position of the country and various important problems linked with it might receive attention.

Apart from these major questions, the Prime Minister will have to attend, to a host of minor issues which have been withheld until his return. Most Ministers have delayed action in some direction until Mr. Forbes' return.