The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY. OCTOBER 13. 1932. A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WHICH IS WINNING OUT.

Gisborne Times, 13 October 1932, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY THURSDAY. OCTOBER 13. 1932. A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WHICH IS WINNING OUT.

It is plain that public confidence at Etnue in the '.National Government has nut been disturbed by the recent defections of Viscount Snowden (Labor) and Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberals) from the Ministry, The further move tu increase, the- volume of cheaper government stocks has been wonderfully successful. In due course, another instalment of the plan is certain to be entered upon. ,It must, of course, not he supposed that the recent deserters from Cabinet were opposed to the government's {inuncial policy. These resignations were merely a very belated protest against the government's progressive fiscal programme. It may he recalled that, at the start of the year, Viscount Snowden, Sir Herbert’ Samuel and Sir Archibald Sinclair threatened to break away from the Ministry when it became evident that the original set of temporary import duties was about to be ■adopted. AH that prevented their departure from Cabinet at that stage was their claim that it was necessary that the government should continue to present a united front in relation to the nation’s problems. In order to mollify these opponents to tariff duties, it will be remembered that it was announced that it had been, decided that Ministers "'Jio found themselves unable to support the conclusions arrived at by the majority of their colleagues on the subject of import duties and cognate matters should be at liberty to express their hostility by speech and by vote. Upon that understanding, the members of Cabinet to wjioin this decision was l intended to apply continued, to remain in ofiico until the end of last month. Now, of course, it is patent why they have left their posts in Cabinet. Seemingly, they had hoped that the Ottawa Conference would prove abortive. In such an event, their presence ' in Cabinet would not have proved so very awkward. Their excuse for holding to their posts was, however, too thin altogether. What they said, -when the matter first cropped up fit the beginning of the year,' was,' in effect, that, if they were to resign, it would hloan “the inevitable break-up of the National government!’’ But nobody, it is, clear, gave them credit for sincerity of motive. On every hand, it was realised that the government would not become disrupted if they chose to retire from it. At all, events, they have now elected to place their Ifree Trade principles before what they had, only some months previously, claimed was tlie nation’s welfare 1 It is in this-connection important to note that, • before thq desertions, it had been authoritatively averred that Cabinet -was “essentially < united on fill other matters of-national policy.” Nor must it" be ■ overlooked -that two

other Liberal' stalwarts—Sir Jo!ih Simon and Mrn Ituucnnan—-are - still willing to accept the ■ majority proposals, and assist in retaining in. office a government on a national basis. Tjio plain facts are that Viscount Snowden, -Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir Archibald Sinclair left taking their' departure from Cabinet too lait'c; If they, were not prepared to surrender their own views on tariff matters to : national interests they should, in strict fact, never have accepted portfolios. As matters now stand, the government has, no doubt, lost the ■services of three ■ valuable members, but their resignations will, happily,, in no way alter its programme nor impair its determination to proceed, with all liasto, in the great work of national rehabilitation. When the Ot-. towa decisions, come to be discussed in the British Parliament, a small section may bo expected to figlrt them tooth and nail. It is doubtful, indeed, if there will be unanimity even on the Conservative side. The fact that an era of cheaper money lias been entered upon is likely to lessen the extent of the opposition to additional tariff duties. With so much government stock on such, a low interestearning level, it will bo generally realised that -the tendency will be for more surplus money to be invested in industrials and tlie , effect will be increased rationalisation of British industry, with consequent lowered costs of production, wider marketing—especially iii view of increased preference by the Dominions—and increased employment.