FUTURE PLANS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 9

FUTURE PLANS

PURPOSE OF COMMITTEE NO OCCASION FOIR PANIC NORMAL PROVISION MADE WIDER FIELD OF INQUIRY BOTH LEADERS HOPEFUL By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 22. There was no occasion whatever for panic, said the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, when discussing today , the decision to set up a committee to investigate the economic and financial situation.

So far as the finances of the country were concerned provision had been made for everything in the normal way. What they were doing was planning for the future so as not to fall into the trap of expecting a solution by the policy of muddling through.

Mr. Forbes added that he hoped useful suggestions would result from Monday’s conference, which would draft the order of reference for the investigation, involving national and local body finance and the position of all interests affected by . the depression. He did not expect the proceedings to be protracted. The committee would have to consider the stability of the political position to enable remedial measures to be operated by means of a National Government. If a National Government were decided on postponement of the elections would follow as a natural sequence. “Speaking as head of the minority Government,” he added, “I say it is too much ■to expect any drastic measures to be brought into operation by a party in office, but not in power.” . Interviewed by the Press Association this morning Mr. Coates repeated his statement of yesterday that his motion contemplated neither fusion nor the prolongation of the life of the present Parliament.

MAKING A FRESH START.

To him a National Government meant nothing. The position was being approached de novo, and it was the earnest hope of the Reform Party that the conference of parties would, with the help of outside experts, be able to devise a plan that would lead to the rehabilitation of the Dominion and its people, as rapidly as possible. Asked whether he was optimistic regarding the possibility of the conference reaching agreement, Mr. Coates said, unless one was optimistic, one got nowhere. He could not see why a conference of reasonable men, with all the facte placed before them, should not be able to agree to a plan for the future. It was equally important to all parties that an agreement should be reached along lines that would, as he had stated, bring about the rehabilitation as speedily as possible. The Labour Party was as vitally concerned as anyone else. He regretted that there had been any suggestion that Reform and United might eventually line themselves 'up against Labour and force through certain measures. Such a line of approach was destructive of the purpose of the setting up of the committee. The whole idea of the conference was to attain unanimity.

‘ADJUST THE MONETARY SYSTEM.”

OPINIONS OF MR. D. G. SULLIVAN.

Christchurch, Aug. 22

Discussing the financial situation the

Mayor Of Christchurch, Mr. D. G. Sullivan, M.P., said that Labour members were unanimous and vigorous in the desire to have initiated a definite policy of reviving trade and rebuilding primary and secondary industry. The work of reconstruction must start with the provision of assistance to farmers, if they were to be kept on their farms and obtain fertilisers, seed, stock and other requirements. A way to finance them must be found in order that they might maintain production and, through their purchases, stimulate the whole economic life. Credit must be made available for every farmer of personal substance and capacity. The Government itself must provide the required credit by standing behind the banks, the State Advances Department, the Rural Credits Board or whatever institution the Government used as its agent.

“This country and all countries are at present engaged in the task of compelling society to adjust itself to a contracted monetary system with fearful results in h man privation and misery. It would be more humane and more sensible to adjust the monetary system to the needs of society per medium of a managed currency, and two economists whom I have personally consulted on the subject agree that such a managed currency must come.”

CO-OPERATION OF PARTIES

STRENGTH TO FACE ECONOMIES. GRATIFYING PEOPLE'S DESIRE. As one who has persistently attacked party government Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., is in full agreement with the recent proposals for co-operation among all sections of the House of Representatives in an attempt to find a solution of the country’s difficulties. Speaking at Pihama on Saturday night he said that Mr. J. G. Coates deserved great credit for his latest move in doubling back on his steps, foregoing his pride and joining with the other parties in working out measures for the country’s good. He was extremely pleased to see this move for cooperation with all parties. The country undoubtedly had to face rigid economy, continued Mr. Wilkinson, and that could only be attained by a Government truly representative of the people. He was glad also that Labour, for once, was going to take part in the cs-operative movement. The Labour viewpoint was one that the country had a right to obtain, but it had been very difficult in the past to get Labour to take part in the work of the State.

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY.

Before the Opposition Leader’s overtures were made, Mr. Wilkinson said, he was himself quite alive to the situation, and he quoted a, speech he had made in the House to the effect that Mr. Forbes had

made a very good offer in his fusion proposals of April last. He believed the people of New Zealand were looking for a combination of this kind. In his opinion they would have to approach this question of combination with an open mind. It had been indicated that he might be the choice of the Independents on the-committee, but he stated quite frankly that he was not anxious for office. However, if the conference of Independents which would meet at 10 a.m. on Monday thought he was the best qualified for the job he would have to accept the responsibility. But he would gladly yield in favour of others. While not eager to accept the position, he would not say that he would not accept the responsibility. Dealing with the probable results of a combination of parties Mr. Wilkinson said that he hoped they would be able to devise ways and means of obtaining the money required without adding to the burdens of taxation. Heavy taxation meant the stoppage of business, and this resulted in the stoppage of taxes. Without commit-

ting himself definitely, that was how he viewed the situation at presentj and if no National Government was formed he would certainly vote against more taxation of the 1 people’s necessities. 4 ,