The Dominion SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1931. MR. COATES GIVES A LEAD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 280, 22 August 1931, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1931. MR. COATES GIVES A LEAD

A strong lead has been given by Mr. Coates to Parliament and people by his motion-for a committee representing all parties to examine the financial position and frame plans to meet it. Ine step taken was worthy of the best traditions of the Party he leads —practical, sound, wisely timed and calculated to serve the best interests of the country. It constitutes a complete answer to those critics who in recept months have so unjustly made him the target of their persistent misrepresentation and abuse. ' It was gratifying, too, and a reassurance of the responsible spirit of the House, that the Prime Minister welcomed and the Leader of the Labour Party "readily agreed to Mr. Coates s_ proposal and that it was carried without a dissentient. Such unanimity encourages the confident hope, that New Zealand will face what may be required of her in the present emergency with that calmness and courage with which she has faced calls in the past. There can be no question of the seriousness of the disturbance in national finance nor can there be any doubt the Leader of the Opposition was justified when he suggested that revenue might, not live up'to the estimates and that, on the present proposals, it would be difficult to balance the Budget. Thus, even after imposing heavy new taxes, bringing reserves into current account, and postponing debt payments, it appears that equilibrium may not be achieved, a suggestionj by the way, that Mr. Forbes did not rebut in •, his reply. Clearly the financial drift must be checked by a re-casting of accounts and New Zealand has to' thank Mr. Coates for boldly stepping into the breach, taking the initiative and obtaining the approval of the House to secure a comprehensive (and non-partisan) review of the position and to suggest remedies. , . An essential preliminary to effective action is to ascertain the position and make a plan to meet its implications. As was strongly urged by The Dominion on Thursday, we must "find out just where we stand and where we are going.”' It is not merely a question of balancing the Budget—although that is the key stone of the national arch—but also restoring general economic health. Mr. Coates has rightly emphasised the need of the farmer as the foundation on which the country rests and out of whose problem arise all our other problems. Those who are in touch with the primary producer will agree on the necessity stated by the Reform Leader for “urgent and immediate” action. ' • That all parties in Parliament recognise the need, and their joint responsibility to meet it, was demonstrated by their grave attention to Mr. Coates’s proposal and unanimous acceptance of it. The House agreed to place upon a committee the task of examining the position, taking the advice of experts and. of preparing a plan. In the words of the resolution, the committee is required "to decide what remedial steps should be taken to adjust the national expenditure and to provide for equality of sacrifice and a proper distribution of the burdens.” A national duty is laid upon the committee and all citizens will hope that it will discharge, it in a national-spirit—-conscientiously, fairly, excluding all sectional interests. Sacrifices may be required of all but none should cavil if the burdens are apportioned justly. I At the same time, the country should understand. that there is no cause for alarm in this move by Parliament. Rather would there be ground for fear if the House avoided the national problem or refused to recognise it. That would b,e to imitate the ostrich. It is better to confront our difficulties, size them up, and plan to overcome them. In fact, what Mr. Coates is asking the House and the country to do is to look the financial,facts in the eye, to see clearly. That surely is the. prudent course and the honest one. The Leader of the Opposition has given Parliament a sound lead and it is now for members to remember the duty imposed on Parliament by its’ representative character to lead the nation. ' The objective is, common to all but it can be reached only .by goodwill, co-operation and mutual forbearance. It is in the' spirit of unity—the true begetter of strength and achievement—that the Parliamentary committee should set to work on its task and in. that same, spirit Parliament itself should receive the committee’s recommendations. Mr. Coates in taking the step he did yesterday rendered a great service to the country. It was clear from his plain, dispassionate review of the position as he sees it that he sought no party advantage; that he- was striving only to find the best means of promoting the welfare of the Dominion, and to that end was prepared to set aside all personal and sectional interest. He set 4 standard which it may be hoped will inspire members of all parties to rise to a great occasion. . 1 . • ■