A WELCOME MOVE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17952, 2 December 1932, Page 5

A WELCOME MOVE

adjournment of house TASKS BEFORE CABINET FARMING relief schemes . STATEMENT BY MR. FORBES (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The adjournment of tl)£ House to enable the Cabinet to devise measures to meet a situation which is becoming increasingly difficult for producers, has given satisfaction to a great majority of members, who have not hesitated to show their restiveness when asked to discuss relatively unimportant questions at a time when they only desire to deal with big issues, but this feeling is tempered with some doubts as to the Government’s ability adequately to meet the situation. The same problems face 'other countries, yet no solution has appeared to emerge. However, the Coalition caucus gave the Cabinet a very emphatic lead along the lines of further interest reductions, and it is felt i.hat Ministers themselves have been leaning towards this polity • Interest plays so important a part'in the budget of most farmers that a-lighten - in" of this burden would be. of general benefit, especially when it is taken into account that ft 1 per cent, drop in interest would mean to a large number of producers an advantage equul to a rise of 23 per cent, in the value of their products. This figure has been ascertained by an actual examination of farm

accounts. The Cabinet has also been given to understand from a fairly large section of its Supporters that they would welcome some effort to secure a greater sacrifice for the common good from banking institutions, though this advice is less likely to be followed by responsible politicians. LABOR MEMBERS SILENT Labor members defer official comment until the arrival of Mr. H. E. Holland from Motueka. Their unofficial view is that the Government is simply sparring for time hi the hope of a rise in prices, Mr. J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) humorously suggesting that the Cabinet wishes to hang out”its Christinas stocking, trusting. that someone will drop into it a policy. Critics, however, will find that already a policy is taking shape, but it requires to be most carefully elaborated. Another interesting suggestion taking shape is that tho Coalition Cabinet’s restricted numbers should be increased from 10 to the normal total in order to free several Ministers from the burden of general administration, enabling sucli problems as unemployment to become the whole-time responsibility of an individual. The Government has not yet decided the amount of legislation to be completed before the Ion? adjournment of the session is taken. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, announced last night that he will make a statement to-dav dealing with the subject, but he added that he intended to introduce the Central Bank Bill before members disperse. It is not likely, however. that the bill will be gone on with until after the vacation. Of the other legislation now cn the order paper or before committees, the Hospitals Bill was completed last night, while the committee stage of the Urban Farm Land Rating Bill was finished and a start made on the Municipal Corpora--1 tions Consolidation Bill. This measure ■probably will be completed, ns will also the Municipal Association Bill, the Fire Brigades Amendment Bill, the Cook Islands Amendment Bill, and the Native Land Amendment Bill. It is possible that the Building Construction Bill and the electoral law amendment providing for a four-vear Parliament will be left over ihitil the New Year sitting. DECISIONS DELAYED

A number of local bills are also before committees, and it is likely that these will be completed. Two washing-up bills also .will be put.through, as most of the clauses give statutory authority to arrangements already made. In announcing the intention to adjourn Parliament until January 26 to enable the Government to formulate plans for dealing with the budgetary and economic position, Mr. Forbes said : “The Government has certain proposals ready for consideration by the Bouse,, particularly the bill dealing with the central- reserve hank.. It has become clear, however, that further measures dealing with the budgetary and the general economic position will be necessary, which it would not be possible to deal with between now and Christmas. “The decisions of the Government have been to some extent delayed owing to the exchange controversy. In the meantime, this controversy lias been set on one side by the decision of the Ban': of New Zealand that it is not prepared to raise the exchange rate. At the same time the bank has made certain alternative proposals for assisting the farmers. “These and other proposals affecting the general economic position will require an amount of consideration by the Government which it is not possible to give while Ministers are engaged in Parliamentary duties. “At the same time it is desired to. avoid delay which the formalities attendant on the calling of a special session early in the year would entail. It has therefore been considered advisable to finish off the work in band, and adiourn the present sitting till January 26 to enable the general position to be reviewed by the Government, and its full ■policy measures to be brought down when the adjourned meeting re assembles.

CAUCUS RESOLUTION “This decision has been concurred m by members of Piirliament supporting the Government, who met in caucus this morning, and passed the following resolution “It is the opinion of this caucus of members supporting the Coalition Government that Parliament should be adjourned until January 26; that the Government in the interval finalise arrangements rendered necessary owing to the further fall in prices, thereby raising national and budgetary problems, and that measures be submitted immediately upon Parliament reassembling.’’ . , ~ • When Mr. Forbes had oompletrd lus statement Mr. F. W. Schwa nun (Lab., Auckland E.) interjected, “It is a pure confession of failure.” Mf. .A. S. Richards (Lab r, Roskill): Yo'l outfit to resign. M. J. Savage (Lab.. Auckland Wl asked when it was moused to move the adjournment cf the House. Mr. Eo'-hes; “When the business is concluded.” Mr. Savage asked how much business the Government pronnsed to pvt through before the adjournment, and how long it would take. - Mr Fpi-Hs said ha w'»iM he prepared to make a rtatemept of tin unsure of the business to be taken before the adjournment. Mr. Ravage: Is it a matter of days or ' Mr. Forbes r It will not be before next W< Mr. Mason: You will deal with local bI)U. I presume? Mr. Forbes: Oh, yes, we shall take local bill*.