CABINET’S AIM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 105, 28 January 1931, Page 11

CABINET’S AIM

Finance to be Reviewed

DATE OF SESSION Subjects of Discussion By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, January 27. Asked this evening if he could indicate the date on which the decisions of. Cabinet at its meeting which will commence to-morrow would be made public, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said he hoped it would be next week. It was impossible for him to be more definite.

Mr. Forbes, who was awaiting the arrival of his train, dealt rapidly with the questions of newspaper representatives.

“Is Cabinet being asked to consider a 10 per cent, cut in the salaries of Civil servants?” he was asked.

“No,” replied the ' Prime Minister. “The meeting of Cabinet, which will commence to-morrow, is for the purpose of reviewing the financial position in a general fashion. It will continue to the end of the week ” “Will the question of a special session of Parliament come before the Ministry?” he was asked.

“That is one of the matters that will be discussed,” replied Mr. Forbes. When reporters sought more detailed Information as to the business which would be dealt with by Cabinet, particularly as it affected wages and taxation, Mr. Forbes said he could not state In advance what that would be.

“You, gentlemen, are just as qualified as I am to judge the situation and to anticipate how Cabinet will deal with it,” he continued. Measures deemed necessary for meeting the Dominion’s requirements would be prepared. He could not say whether or not the Arbitration Court would be given power to alter the conditions of existing awards. The Prime Minister said he had not yet been able to consider a scheme for the relief of primary producers. “I know what farmers are up against,” said Mr. Forbes. “It is a hard proposition.”