A SPECIAL SESSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 306, 24 November 1932, Page 6

A SPECIAL SESSION.

Accokdixg to a message from Wellington it is not unlikely that a special session of Parliament will be called in the late summer to deal with the present trend of the economic situation. Unfortunately, just when it was hoped that values for primary products would be maintained at least at a satisfactory level in view of world trade conditions, failing a definite upward movement, there has come another and very severe collapse. Butter is selling at the lowest point reached since the Great War—first grade at 88s per cwt.—and cheese is also well down. Frozen meat has risen slightly, but values are still depressed, and the outlook for wool cannot be said as yet to be bright. The Government in consequence is seriously perturbed at the effect upon the national income. It cannot be otherwise, and the question of a special session in February, as Mr Forbes emphasises, will be determined by the trend of market values in the next two months. If the “key to the position” does not turn upwards, then it would appear to be inevitable that a special session must be held. But Parliament now has the opportunity to do something at once towards maintaining stability in the national finances. The cost of Government in this country is admittedly excessive for the population. It could substantially reduce the Ministerial and members’ salaries. These have been subjected to reductions under the previous legislation, but if Cabinet and members are in earnest in their desire to assist the country they should cut their emolument to the barest minimum. That has not yet _ been reached. Again, the salaries of Judges have not come within the scope of the Finance Act under which the cuts were made. This matter should be given immediate attention. It has also been argued that the Government could, with profit to the country, though the benefit would not be felt for at least several years, reduce the membership of Parliament. A special session of Parliament suggests at once increased taxation, and a people now groaning under a heavy burden will insist that Parliamentarians immediately face a reduction in their salaries as a first step. It will be hoped, however, that the outlook will brighten in the next two months to make a special session, and what it would portend, unnecessary. ____