Coalition ?

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5573, 11 February 1931, Page 6

Coalition ?

Special Session of

Parliament

further cut in civil SERVICE SALARIES REVISING- ARBITRATION AWARDS \n announcement that a special session of Parliament will commence on Wednesday, March 11, was made by tm* Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) on Monday evening, just prior to his departure for Hawke's Bay. Parliament, said tho Prime Mmistei, is being asked to assemble to deal with the economic position of tho countiy and to pass any legislation that might be necessary in connection with tho earthquako disaster. . It lias been regarded as inevitablo for somo time that thero would be a special session of Parliament this year, primarily owing to tho serious state of the national finances. Since tho return of Mr. Forbes from the Imperial Conference, Cabinet has been engaged almost daily in reviewing the position, and definite measures have now been decided upon. These measures will be announced in a few days by tho Prime Minister, whose preparation of a comprehensive statement has been delayed on account of tho earthquake. It is freely stated in Government circles, however, that the chief measures proposed by Cabinet arc tho following:— (1) The conferring of power on tho Arbitration Court to reviso existing awards. (2) A further "cut” iu tho salaries of Civil Servants. (3) Steps towards the depoliticalisation of tho railways. Very Drastic. In a statement made since his return from London, Mr. Forbes has made it plain that the measures to bo taken by tho Government will be very drastic, and confirmation of this was gained by a "Post” reporter in tho course of an interview with the Minister of Justice and Defence (the Hon. J. Ct. Cobbe). Mr. Cobbe said that the Government proposals would be found to be very drastic and probably would not prove acceptable or palatable to a large section of the community.

That is not worrying the Government, said Mr. Cobbe, and we arc determined to stand or fall by our programme. If we fall, then we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we have done our duty as we sec it. The duty of tho Government at the present juncture is plain, and we arc not concerned in the least as to whether we will bo popular or not. Tho Government realises that its action is likely to lead to the loss of several scats at the next General Election, but we are prepared to face that possibility. Personal ambitions do not count at a time like this. Mr. Cobbe referred to the necessity of the Government securing the support of one of the other parties in order to place its measures on the Statute Book, and said lie had no doubt that that support would be forthcoming. "This is not a time for party,” said Mr. Cobbe. “The main thing is to get the job done as quickly as possible, and I am certain Parliament will agree.”

Talk of Coalition. It is stated in Parliamentary, circles that the possibility of a coalition between tho Reform and United parties is not so remote as might be generally imagined. Quite a large number of members of the Reform party, it is stated, arc prepared to come to a working arrangement with the Government, even to tho extent of forming a National Government. A "Post” reporter was informed authoritatively yesterday that at least one member of the present Cabinet had signified to Mr. Forbes his willingness to resign his portfolio in order to pave the way for a coalition. It is stated that other Ministers have taken the same

action. Whether a National Government will come into being or not is, of course, a matter for future negotiation between the United and Reform parties, but there are certainly indications that the wav has been prepared for an understanding. Strong Opposition. Any amendment to the Industrial Conciliation ami Arbitration Act in the direction of giving tho Court power to revise existing awards is bound to be stronglv opposed by tho Labour party, which has declared itself as against a reduction in tho wage standard. One prominent member of the Labour party stated to-day that any such proposal on the part of the Government would be opposed to tho utmost, and that squalls would certainly be looked for during tho coming session. A further “cut” in the salaries of Civil Servants is also likely to be strenuously opposed by the Labour party, especially is there is no limitation as to the salaries to be affected. The possibility of some support being given uot only from tho Reform benches, but » ;ilso from the Government benches enuuot bo altogether overlooked. One member of the United party representing a rural district indicated quite plainly, when speaking to a “Post” reporter, that he was entirely opposed to wage reductions at present. His view was that every effort mould be made to maintain the present standard of living and tho purchasing-power of the public. Ho expressed tkt opinion that if the Government malic any proposal to reduce wages it wculd be heading for political extinction; That * opinion appears to be an isolated one, however, and the majority of Government members who have been spoken to have admitted that the Government is taking the only possible course iji the circumstances. Generous tributcsihave been paid to the courageous attitude which the Prime Minister has adopted. The Railways. The Prime Minister has so far given no definite indication of his intentiois in regard to the railways, but it 3 stated that the recommendations of tin recent Commission will be adopted, a part, at least. Tho recommendation of l the Commission was:— That tho Department be depolitical-, ised, and the railways be administered by a Board of Directors with full power* to control tho operations and staff and be responsible for tho results obtained. Thero is a feeling in some quarters that the Government should postpone any action in regard to the railway* until tho ordinary session of Parliament in June, but it is stated that the Prime Minister is anxious to bring about a reorganisation as soon as possible.