POLITICAL PARTIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 August 1931, Page 11

POLITICAL PARTIES

BUDGET PROPOSALS CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY It, is unlikely that the Government's tenure of office will be seriously challenged duriilg tile progress of the Financial debate, which will probably continue for a fortnight or longer. A crisis may be reached, however, at a Jater stage of the session (says the “Post”). Jtotli the Reform Party and the Labour Party met in caucus yesterday morning to determine their respective attitudes. The Reform members have met several times since the introduction of the Budget last Thursday evening and it is plain that there is a wide cleavage of opinion as to the wisdom of taking this opportunity of turning the Government out of office or of maintaining the policy of assistance with the right to criticise which has been followed for the past twelve months or more. Careful lobbying indicates that the Reform supporters are hopelessly divided in their viows. Some arc convinced that the taxation proposals should he resisted with all the strength of the party, and that either by promoting a hostile amendment themselves, which would bo certain of support from the Labour Party, or by giving support to such a move from the other camp, they should precipitate a political crisis and proceed to the country. On the other hand, it is counselled that no direct step should be taken until tho Land and Income Tax and Customs Amendment Bills, giving definite effect to tho Budget proposals, appear before tho House. It is understood that the Loader of the Opposition is anxious to secure unanimity of opinion in any action that may be taken, but circumstances suggest that this is impossible of achievement. Some Reformers are believed to hold the view that tho Prime Minister is taking tho only reasonable course in balancing his Budget, and that the Reform Party itself would be obliged to take similar action if it had control of the Treasury. Outside of Reform circles it is being speculated that the Minister of Finance in the last Reform Cabinet, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who is regarded as the leading authority on finance in the Reform Party, if not in the House, realises that lie could take no different course from that now being pursued. When the Reform caucus adjourned at 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon, the Leader of the Opposition (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that he had nothing to announce yet. He indicated that members of the party would meet again this afternoon. LABOUR’S ATTITUDE It was officially announced at the close of the Labour Party caucus that no amendment would be moved from thoso benches during the Budget debate, hut that the taxation proposals enibodiod in tho Land and Income Tax and Customs Amendment Bills at a later stage of tho session would bo opposed and resisted in line with the party’s policy. It is understood that the Government’s proposals in general will be opposed, particularly those adding further Customs imposts to tea, sugar and other articles, the increased cost of which will further increase tho cost of living. Amendments will he moved in the Committee stages on the Bills reforred to.