MR STEWART ABSENT FROM CABINET MEETINGS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19394, 19 January 1933, Page 8

MR STEWART ABSENT FROM CABINET MEETINGS.

SILENCE OF LEADERS. By Telegraph—Pres* Association WELLINGTON, January 18. Although no official confirmation is given, it is believed that Mr Downie Stewart has resigned as a member of the Ministry, being unable to subscribe to the programme of emergency measures which it is proposed to place before Parliament next week. Cabinet has been working at high pressure since its meetings were resumed after the holidays, and it is understood that within the past ten days a majority of Ministers have agreed in a broad outline upon a policy for presentation to the House. It has been stated freely in political quarters that Ministers have not been seeing eye to eye on certain questions. On exchange rates, it is stated, Mr Stewart has been at complete variance with other members of the Ministry. Mr Stewart has not attended Cabinet meetings for some days although lie has had several conversations with other Ministers in his room, and he was not present to-day when Ministers met representatives from the Farmers’ Union Conference, which waited on Cabinet to place various suggestion* and opinions before it. Complete silence upon the question of Cabinet relations is being maintained by the Prime Minister and other members of the Ministry. In spite of the fact that statements were being freely made that Mr Stewart had tendered his resignation, both the leaders of the Government —Mr Forbes and Mr Coates—declined to be drawn when questioned. When asked if there was any truth in the statements being made. Mr Stewart said he would neither affirm nor deny the report that he had tendered his resignation. He said the question was one for the Prime Minister to discuss.

Asked whether he would be prepared to contradict a statement that his resignation was in the hands of the Prime Minister. Mr Stewart said he would not do so. nor would he make any comment on the situation generally.

Mr Forbes said he had no intention of discussing the position at all. As no official confirmation has been given of the fact that Mr Stewart has tendered his resignation, no information is available as to what attitude the Government will adopt if Mr Stewart maintains his present attitude. However, it is understood that the Coalition leaders, in an endeavour to maintain an unbroken front, have been attempting to persuade Mr Stewart to remain in the Cabinet. He has been aporoached by several Ministers during the past few days, but it is understood that he has remained firm, and that he is not prepared to take back his resignation. Inflation Foreshadowed. Although, when Parliament adjourned six weeks ago. the Prime Minister was insistent that the level of exchange rates was a question entirely for the banks, it is now stated reliably that the Government does not regard an increase in rates at all unfavourably, and there is reason to believe that the Government will shortly initiate a move to bring about a measure of exchange inflation.