EVE OF CAUCUS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 18, 23 January 1933, Page 7

EVE OF CAUCUS.

COALITION POLICY. DEVELOPMENTS TO-MORROW. ATTITUDE OF CRITICS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Though there is a dullness in the political atmosphere, it will change to one of intense liveliness to-morrow when the Coalition members are expected to commence a party caucus at which the Government's full policy is to be explained. Already there are sufficient members in Wellington to enable something to be gathered regarding the outcome of the caucus. There will be many dissentients from the high exchange policy, but if this is accompanied by any measure offering relief to townspeople, then the opposition will be toned off, and this is the hope of the city supporters of the Coalition. It is quite probable that the discussions will last two days, and there may be even modifications of the Government policy, as a result of securing opinions from all angles.\ The early introduction of the measure indemnifying the banks against possible losses in exchange transactions will give the Opposition its opportunity, but Ministers face this with a confidence which is explained by the attitude of some of their own critical supporters. Labour cannot count on a swing over of votes, a process which adds a double value to each Coalition supporter who crosses the floor. The issue to be faced will be not one of specific objection to high exchange, but one of the general attitude towards the Government's complete policy. The critics will have to decide whether the Coalition Ministers should be replaced and by whom, a decision carrying so much responsibility that abstention from voting, so as to avoid a Labour victory, will be a probable way out.. An opportunity of voting no confidence will be provided, but Labour members are not anticipating any sensational consequences.