COUNTING HEADS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17946, 25 November 1932, Page 9

COUNTING HEADS

EXCHANGE CONTROVERSY MANY MEMBERS UNCERTAIN (Parliamentary .Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The presentation to the Ministry of rival signed memorials on the exchange issue has revealed that there are 10 members outside the official Opposition who, whatever their.views may be, are not siguatoricis to either document. Twenty-five members of tho Coalition signed the memorial in favor of a highpegged. and there are nine names on the document forwarded by the city group. The Labor Party, with Mr. E” T Tirikatene (Inch, Southern Maori) represents 25 members, making the total accounted for 59. Excluding Mr. Speaker, and taking into account the vacant Motueka seat, 19 members still remain unaccounted for. Of these, nine are Cabinet Ministers. The 10 members left are all Coalitionists, and they are Messrs. J. Connolly, E. F Healy, A. E. Jull, D. McDougall, J. A. Macpherson,' P. McSkimming, S. G. Smith, A. M. Samuel, J. A. Nash, and H. G. Dickie.

,As far as can be ascertained, Mr. Connolly is opposed to any violent fluctuations in exchange, and he considered that rates should not advance by more than- 5 per cent, on the present level. If, is understood that both Mr. Healy and- Mr. Jull wish to hear the considered opinion of the Hon. W. Downie Stewart before they define their position. It would appear that Mr, McDougfill and Mr. Macpherson are against manipulation, while Mr. McSkimming definitely favors a free exchange. Mr. Smith’s views are unknown. Mr. Samuel is- in favor of hiijh exchange, but it is said that Mr. Dickie is with the city members who signed the opposition memorial. Mr. Nash has not indicated his attitude.