NOTE OF THE DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11842, 25 January 1933, Page 4

NOTE OF THE DAY

THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE CAUCUS

Tho most interesting feature of the Coalition caucus, so far, is that, at the conclusion of the first day’s proceedings, the Prime Minister displayed cheery optimism in regard to the manner in which the House is likely to accept the Government’s proposals. Air Forbes realises that the Labor Opposition intends to make as much political ammunition as possible in connection with the crisis that has arisen, but he says that lie expects that the Government will have a comfortable majority on tho no-confidence motion which is to ho launched. It seems that lie claims that Cabinet was left by the Government party with a free hand to evolve a further rehabilitation policy. Significant it is, however, that he has seen lit to warn restless members that it will be their duty to support tho Government even if they do not endorse the whole of its programme. But Air Slallwortky, the member for Eden, does not intend to be “bludgeoned” into voting against his convictions and he lias aoiv made a. public intimation to the effect that oven if his vote will throw tho Government out of office it will bo cast in favour of the threateued adverse amendment. It is not 'unlikely that he will not he the only. Coalition member who will refuse to heed the crack of the party whip. Others opposed to higher exchange may, however, content themselves with refraining from voting. On the other hand, it is practically certain that most of the Independents will, on this occasion, vote with Air Forbes and not with Air Holland. The attitude which Air Dowuiic Stewart intends to adopt is only such as might have been expected in all the circumstances. By resigning from Cabinet, Air Stewart has registered his protest against the decision to increase the exchange rate. At the same time, he lias freed himself from the responsibility in relation to balancing tho coming State year’s Budget. Plainly, he does not wish to embarrass the Government and is to he commended on his loyalty to his party. The caucus will continue today and it may ho the case that members of tho rank and file, apart from Mr Stallworthy, who are hostile to higher exchange, may withhold any indication as to what attitude they will adopts until after they have studied. the possible effects of tho incut’s policy as a whole.