CABINET'S TASK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 8

CABINET'S TASK

The Prime Minister announces that the Parliamentary session probably will open about the middle of September, but the main question is whether the Government's business will be ready. Last session opened weeks before there were definite proposals to place before the House, and the time was spent in arousing a highly-contentious spirit, which contributed to unrest in the country. It would be the height of folly to have a repetition of this Bort of thing. Certainly there is work to be done apart from routine business. Decisions of the Ottawa Conference may be the subject of bills, and Mr. Forbes has mentioned also the possibility of a measure consolidating the Companies Act. If not in legislative proposals then certainly through the Estimates a good deal is expected to be heard of the final report of the National Expenditure Commission. The electorate will await with some impatience the publication of this report, but will reconcile itself to any delay if it is convinced that the recommendations are bding translated into action. More important than arranging for the summoning of Parliament in one month or another are the departmental steps to reduce expenditure. Economies effected will be a much better subject for discussion by the House than economies recommended. Should the opening of the session be delayed until the middle of October there will be no complaint from the country provided that Cabinet has occupied the time in adjusting expenditure to the capacity of the public purse. Taxation has been carried to excess. In consequence, trade and industry are restricted, and the only remaining course of action is to eliminate waste and reduce overhead. In the quiet of their offices during this inter-sessional period the Ministers have a much better opportunity for instituting the necessary measures of economy than during the sittings of the House, when the clash of party forces diverts their attention and often misleads their better judgment. That Mr. Forbes' one definite statement should be that the present wheat duties will stand does not encourage the hope that economy is the watchword of Cabinet. Those who pay for the protection afforded the wheatgrowers of Canterbury would appreciate a crumb of comfort in a few definite decisions to ease their burdens.