CALAMITOUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 15, 19 January 1933, Page 7

CALAMITOUS.

IF MR. STEWART RESIGNS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VIEW

Speaking at the Auckland Chamber of I Commerce lunch meeting to-day, the president, Mr. A. M. Seaman, referred to the report that the Hon. Downic Stewart, Minister of Finance, was likely to resign from the Cabinet. Mr. Seaman said that in view of the special qualifications possessed by Mr. Stewart, and the complex questions that faced the Government at the present time, such an event would be exceedingly regrettable.

- If, as was predicted, such action took place because of differences on the exchange question, the president added, the result -would be an .irreparable calamity.

"SERIOUS LOSS." EDITORIAL COMMENT. READJUSTMENT HOPES. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. The "Star" says editorially .that the report Of Mr. Stewart's resignation, which would mean a most serious loss •to the National Government, is not confirmed by either himself or Mr. Forbes, but as neither of them, when approached, lias denied it, it has all the appearance of being true. The silence of the Prime Minister in that case would suggest that he lias hopes still of the adjustment of the difference, either from reconsideration on Mr. Stewart's part, or from surrender to his views on the part of the majority of Cabinet. The editorial concludes: "A frank statement on the whole matter is early expected, and it cannot be made too soon." Government Weakened. The "Otago Daily Times" says: "The Government will be tremendously weakened if it permits itself to dispense with Mr. Stewart's services. Next to the Prime Minister—perhaps even more than the Prime Minister —he is the most widely trusted member of the Government. There is no Minister who enjoys to a larger extent the respect of the House. There is no other Minister nearly as capable, as he is, of dealing with the important questions of financial policy, and there is none .other whose training and intellectual qualifications equip him to the same extent, as Mr. Stewart is equipped, for grappling with the industrial and economic issues. It will be a very unfortunate experience for the Government if Mr. Stewart is forced to relinquish oflica through a mistaken decision on the part qf Cabinet respecting a question which closely affects the Department controlled bv him."