CAUCUS OF COALITION

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 25 January 1933, Page 4

CAUCUS OF COALITION

EXCHANGE RATE DISCUSSION EXPLANATIONS BY LEADERS MR STEWART STATES HIS CASE PRIME MINISTER CONFIDENT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. Probably one of the most momentous caucuses in the history of the Coalition Party took place at Parliament Buildings to-day. The caucus met at 10.30 o’clock this morning and until the luncheon adjournment at 1 o’clock the whole of the discussion had centred on the Government’s decision to raise the exchange rate. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes), the Minister of Finance (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates), and- tho ex-Min ister of Finance (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) addressed the meeting. Both Messrs Forbes and Coates outlined the reasons which had actuated the Government in raising the rate, and Mr Stewart took advantage of the opportunity of stating his case against the Government’s action, and also of explaining his rea--sons for leaving the Ministry. The . Rrime Minister stated this afternoon that all members of the party were present with the exception, , of Mr A. M. Samuel (Thames), Mr Tau Henare (Northern Maori), both of whom are absent from Wellington, and Mi: A,. J. Stallworthy (Elden), who has been absenting himself from Government caucuses for some time, and who, it was gathered from the Prime Minister, was not expected at to-day’s meeting. Mr Forbes said that a very ; friendly atmosphere had prevailed at the meeting. “There was no body-line bowling,” he remarked with a smile. The whole of the morning’s proceedings, said Mr Forbes, were devoted to a, discussion of the exchange question, and several members stated their position, in addition to himself, Mr Coates and Mi* Stewart. He said that the reason for calling the meeting two days before the opening of the session was in order to give members an ample opportunity of stating their attitude on the Government’s programme. Five and a-half hours were spent altogether in caucus. Almost the sole topic was the exchange rate. The meeting will be resumed to-morrow. The Leader of the Government expressed confidence this evening that the exchange policy would be endorsed by a large majority. Mr Stewart received a cordial welcome from all members and from what was said at tho gathering it is understood that ho made it quite clear that he. would continue to give general support to the Government even although he might differ from its decision on the certain points. After the caucus Mr Forbes said that exchange had been discussed dispassionately all day. He expressed satisfaction: at the general helpful attitude of members.

WOULD OPPOSE GOVERNMENT

ATTITUDE OF MR! STALLWORTHY.

AUCKLAND, Jan. 24. A definite statement that he would support a no-confidence motion against the Government’s exchange rate policy, even if the Government’s fate depended on his vote was made by Mr A. J. Stallworthy, M.P. for E'den, at a- meeting of electors to-night. Mr Staltworthy was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence, with which a resolution of protest against the raising of the exchange rate was incorporated.