DELAY IN POLICY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 26 January 1933, Page 6

DELAY IN POLICY

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS ATTENTION TO BUDGET PROGRAMME FOB. THE! HOUSE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPORT It is generally believed that, chiefly oro account of budgetary and allied problems •which require attention before any plan of action can be mapped out the Government would not be ready to place its full policy proo'ramrne before Parliament when it rc _ sumed. to-day (states the ' (Dominion ). Some- indication of Cabinet’s intentions might be given, but the Prime Minister (the R-t. Hon. G. W. Forbes) when interviewed* ilast evening, .saicl that after paying tributes to former members <jf the Legislature this afternoon, ' the House might adjourn immediately until to-morrow, although this had not been definitely decided. The caucus of Reform and United members of the Coalition finished yesterday morning, after a further halfday’® discussion, during which, it is understood, prominence was again given‘ to the exchange rates question. Sir Forbes said latex that policy matters had been freely debated in a friendly ; manner and that no formal resolutions bad been passed.

. Having heard the opinions of Government members on a variety of questions, till© Cabinet is istat-ed to be piepared to complete its preparations tor the framing of emergency legislation. Apart from one or two major decisions, it was considered more desirable to wait until the caucus had been heal before going beyond drawing up a revised programme in more than broad outline. . The original intention; was that the Prime Minister should make a statement to the House this evening indicating just what would he done and probably sketching the existing budgetary position and the financial outlook.' As further finishing torches may have to be put to the policy, its import might not b© made known until to-morrow, while it might not be revealed in full for some days, although the Government is naturally anxious to let Parliament know as soon as possible what is ahead of it. POSSIBLE OPPONENTS There were two notable absentees from the Coalition caucus yesterday, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart and Mr It. A. Wright, the last-named having declared himself as completely opposed to the Government on the high exchange question. Mi; Stewart spentthe whole of the previous day at the meeting, but as he is at present busy completing work connected with the. portfolio of Finance, which he has resigned, he was unable to attend. ’ Much speculation is still being indulged in concerning .those Coalition members who will vote against the Government in the House. Both Mr A. J. Stallworthy (Eden) and -Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs) haver made their position quite clear, and they will certain lv Tecorcl their votes against the high "exchange, Only two more, Mr A. Harris (Waitemata) and Mr W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) can be said with any degree of certainty to be possible opponents at the moment. Even they niay decide not to express open hostility.

There is every likelihood that stern “disciplinary measures” might be taken by the Prime Minister against members who vote against the Government on such a. vital issue, and as this usually involves expulsion from the party, there might not he many who will be prepared to go so •far as to break with the Government, especially in view of the pledge of support given at the elections just over a year ago l . Mi: Forbes lias said, in respect of action against possible opponents, that he prefers to take his hurdles as he comes to them, so that it cannot be predicted what action, if any, will be taken against those who vote against their party. MESSAGES TO MR. STEWART As far as Mr Stewart is concerned he has made no statement that he will vote against the Government, and he is still, a member of the party;. It is understood that his future attitude will depend largely on the course of events, although he is believed to have made uo his mind quite definitely about the stand he will take when the Bill appears to indemnify the banks against exchange losses. Apparently the first public intimation of Mr Stewart’s intentions will be given in the House. The notice “Minister of Finance and Customs” no longer adorns the entrance to Mr Stewart’s suite ofi offices. However, he is still in occupation of iiis Ministerial quarters. Telegrams and letters commending the stand taken by him continue to. reach him in large numbers. It is understood that the congratulatory messages are not confined to personal friends and commercial interests, but include many from those engaged in farming.

LABOUR! PARTY CAUCUS The Labour Party will hold a caucus this morning, and policy questions will then be decided upon, as well as the attitude the party will adopt toward Government emergency legislation. It wifi not be known until the labour members meet whether the first opportunity will be taken in the House to move aj no-confidence motion, although it expected, that this will be done. The work of the H-ouse is apparently to be pushed forward as quickly a,s possible by the Government. After this week-end, it is intended to sit on every day of -the week except Sunday, so that- (he session can he finished within a- month -or six weeks. As further emergency -relief legislation has not been framed by the Government ko far. some of the work already before the House will probably be taken for a start.