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Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 40, 17 February 1933, Page 6

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COALITION MEMBERS

CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE

A Coalition caucus was held last night for the purpose of considering tho action of Messrs. A. Harris (Waiteniata), W. A. Voiteh (Wanganui), and E. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), who had voted against the .Government on tho Banks. Indemnity^ (Exchange) Bill. After a prolonged discussion' all three were readmitted to the-counsels' of the garty.' ... V ;'-_".':'■",'.■' -. • ;.."' ;. Mr. Harris attended . the, caucus 'by invitation,: but no invitatibii was sent to ■Messrs. Wright and Veitch. Mr. Veitch was absent from the House on account of illness in his family. As official circles view with, disfavour any reference to domestic differences in the Coalition Party, 'it is not possible to indicate how the differences which had arisen were composed,, but it seems clear that thoss concerned were content to' regard the matter as having been .largely one of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of intentions, and finally to dispose of it in that light. Certain it :is that the, incident is closed as far 'as Mr. Harris is concerned. It would be unfair tovth'e member for -Waitemata not:to add that -he came through with flying coloura/M-v •:V:. ..' , The attitude of the Coalition leaders towards Messrs. Wright and Veitch still has to be determined. Neither member has yet'made, any move in the direction of cutting the painter 'with the Coalition. How.'they -will- regard the return of Mr. Harris to' the fdid is another question which may or may not influence their intentions* "It is said that the .Prime- Minister has held the .'view that there is a.•• distinction between the votes o£ Coalitionists on. the Labour no-confidence amendment: and the second reading of the IndemnHv Bill, but if that correctly interpreta his attitude, the question arises as to why Mr.' Harris was r singled out for a composition of differences while Messrs. Veiteh and Wright were" still, and are still,, allowed. to remain, so: to speak, out "in the cold." ■: v. ,-Tho invitation.list to the next party caucus, which may be held before the week is but, will probably hold the 'key to the position. ■ >.._"" y ; . '■ M .■■'■..'.'■■■■. •Another member" of the-Government who also cast his vote against ", tho Government's policy of exchange inflation'; Mr. W. A. Bodkin-(Central Otago) made his position clear last' night. "I voted against the .Banks Indemnity Bill," he said, "because I firmly believe that the Government's' action in raising the exchango rat© was a disaster and will only add to tho country/s difficulties. The magnitude of tho issue, in my opinion, removed it from party politics, and t have no regrets about the way in which I recorded my vote. Under similar circumstances I would do tho same again. ''At- the same time T agree with Mr Downio Stewart," said Mr. Boakin that political stability should be maintained in this crisis, and, I am "still a memnor of the Coalition. Government I am supporting the taxation proposals because I am satisfied that tho Government must have revenue."-"