THE EARLY SESSION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1931, Page 10

THE EARLY SESSION

VARYING VIEWS

COALITION POSSIBILITY

The early session of Parliament and the possibility of an understanding being reached between the United and Reform parties in order to ensure the passage through Parliament of measures which the Government deems necessary in view of the economic position of the country, are subjects which are being keenly discussed in political circles. When asked this afternoon whether he was yet in a position to make any statement as to the Government's intentions, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) . said, that owing to pressure of work caused by the earthquake disaster he had been unable to complete the statement which he intended to make to the public. "The Government has been devoting the whole of its attention to the disaster and relief measures," said Mr. Forbes, '.'and I am unable to say when it will be possible for me to make my statement. I will- turn my attention to it as soon as possible." The Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) was in town to-day, but apart from a passing reference to the serious position of the country he declined to make any comment regarding the decision of the Government to call Parliament together. It was expected that the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr. H. E. Holland) would be in Wellington to-day to attend meetings of the two central -earthquake committees, but ho received notice of the meetings too late to permit of his attendance. \

Opinions appear to be divided as to the likelihood of a coalition between the United and Reform parties. One member of the United Party expressed the opinion to-day that he considered it was inevitable that there would be a coalition, but others do not appear to favour the- proposal. The opinion in Labour circles appears to be that there is a decided possibility of a National Government being formed, and one member went so far las to suggest that1 it was quite on the j cards that there would be an extension of the life of Parliament to avoid the expense and the unsettling effect of a General Election.