DELAY IN POLICY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 104, 26 January 1933, Page 10

DELAY IN POLICY

Government Proposals ATTENTION TO BUDGET Programme for To-day GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT (By Our Parliamentary Representative) It -is generally believed that, chiefly on account of and allied problems which ieq H ,r ® H „ n tention before any plan of act ‘°" can be mapped out, the Government will not be ready to place its full policy programme befoie rarna metn when it rwumes to-day some indication of Cabinet s intentions may be given, but the Prime ALnster Mr" Forbes, when interviewed last’evening, said that after paying • tributes to former of the Legislature this House might adjourn immediate!} to-morrow, although this had , not been definitely decided. v The caucus of Reform and United members of the Coalition finished yesterday morning, after a further halfday’s discussion, during which, it is understood, prominence was againi gwenito the exchange rates question. Mr. jjoroes said later that poMcy freely debated in a friendly manner and thaUno formal resolutions had been having heard the opinions of Government members on a variety of questions, the Cabinet is stated to be prepared to complete its. preparations for the framing of emergency legislation Apart from one or two major decisions, it was considered more desirable to wait until the caucus had been held before iroing beyond drawing up a revised programme in more than broad outline. More Finishing Touches. The original intention was that the Prime Minister should make a statement to the House this evening indicating just what would be done and probably sketching the existing budgetary position and the financial outlook. As further finishing touches may have to, be put to the policy, its import mighu not be made known until to-morrow, while it might not be revealed in full for some days, although the Government is naturally anxious to let Parliament know as soon as possible what is ahead of it. There were two notable absentees 1 from the Coalition caucus yesterday, the Hon. W. Downle Stewart and Mr. R. A. Wright, the last-named having declared himself as completely opposed, to the Government on the high exchange question. Mr. Stewart spent the whole of the previous day at the meeting, but as he is at present busy completing work connected with the portfolio of Finance, which he has resigned, he was unable to attend. Much speculation is still being indulged in concerning those Coalition members who will vote against the - Government in the House. Both Mr. A. .7. Stallworthy (Eden) and Mr. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) have made their position quite clear, and they will certainly record their votes against the high exchange. Only two more, Mr.- A. Harris (Waitemata) and Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) can be said with any degree of certainty to be possible opponents at the moment. Even they may decide not to express open hostility. Attitude Toward Opponents. There is every likelihood that, stern “disciplinary measures” might be taken by the Prime Minister against'members who vote against the . Government on, such a vital issue, and as this usually involves expulsion from the party, there might not be many who will be prepared to go so far as to break with the Government, especially in view of the pledge of support given at the elections just over a year ago. Mr. Forbes has said, in respect of action against possible opponents, that he prefers to take his hurdles as he comes to them, so that it cannot be predicted what action, if any, will be taken against those who vote against their party. ■ As far as Mr. Stewart is concerned. he has made no statement that he will vote against the Go- - vernment, and lie is still a member-: of the party. It is understood that . his future attitude will depend largely on the course of events, although he is believed to have made up his mind quite definitely about the stand he will take when the Bill apjiears to indemnify the banks against exchange losses. Apparently file first, public intimation of Mr. Stewart’s intentions will be given in the House. ' \ The notice “Minister of Finance and Customs” no longer adorns the entrance to Mr. Stewart’s suite of offices. However, he is still in occupation of his Ministerial quarters. Telegrams and letters commending the stand taken by him continue to reach him 'in large numbers. It is understood that the congratulatory messages are not confined to personal friends and commercial interests, but include many from those engaged in farming. I Mr. Stallwortliy’s Position. Mr. Stallworthy’s position was discussed in an interview by the Prime Minister yesterday. ,He said that in view of his public statements Mr. StaUworthy could probably be regarded as having definitely severed his connection with the Government. “He could probably quite rightly be regarded as among those who wish to see Mr. Coates and me out,” he added, recalling also that Mr. Stallworthy had been absenting himself from Coalition caucuses. The Labour Party will hold a caucus this morning, and policy questions will then be decided upon, as well as the attitude the party will adopt toward Government emergency legisla-. tion. It will not be known until the Labour members meet whether the first opportunity wilt be taken in the House to move a no-confidence motion, although it is expected that this will be done. The work of the House is apparently to be pushed forward as quickly as possible by the Government. After this week-end, it is intended to sit on every day of the week except Sunday, so that the session can be finished within a month or six weeks. As further emergency relief legislation has not been framed by the Government so far. some of the work already before the House will probably be taken for a start. BUSINESS MEN TO MEET Protest at Wellington To-day A meeting of business organisations and others interested will be held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall, “Dominion” Building, at eleven o’clcok this morning to protest against the Government’s decision to adopt political control of exchange. All Interested are invited to attend. An advertisement appears in this Issue.