FINANCE PROBLEMS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20472, 16 February 1932, Page 8

FINANCE PROBLEMS.

ECONOMISTS' COMMITTEE AND ROYAL COMMISSION. (fitSS ASSOCIATION TILtGBASI ) WELLINGTON, February 15. Replying to criticism directed at the appointment of the Economists' Committee, the Prime Minister (the lit. Hon. G. W. Forbes) pointed out that there had been no overlapping between the work of the Economists' Committee and thati of the Royal Commission, the latter having; been appointed to investigate State expenditure in detail, whereas the Economists' Committee would report on the wider aspects of the economic problem. It was said b,y some that the Government should make its own decisions, but so much would be at stake as a result of an alteration in the exchange rates that the Government felt it should have the benefit of expert advice and move slowly. If the Government came to a quick decision, which later was found to be wrong and detrimental to the country, criticism would be justified, and the Government would have to accept such criticism. 9 Questioned whether the report of the Economists' Committee _ would be made public. Mr Forbes replied in the affirmative, and said it would probably be made a Parliamentary paper in the ordinary way. He saw no reason why the recommendations of the Economists' Committee should not be made known to the general public.