IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, 6 August 1930, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

CAN THE PRIME MINISTER GO TO LONDON? FINANCE BILLS THE KEY TO THE POSITION. PARTY LEADERS TO CONFER. (By Telegraph.—“ The Age” Special.) WELLINGTON, August 5. When the Financial Debate ends in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister will give an opportunity for the discussion of Imperial affairs. He also intends to consult the other party leaders regarding an arrangement which will enable the Dominion to be represented at the Imperial Conference. The matter was raised by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Leader of the Opposition, who asked the Prime Minister whether he would indicate when he deemed it necessary that the New Zealand representative should leave for the Conference. 44 1 think the Opposition generally, so far as I have ascertained,” continued Mr. Coates, “wish that New Zealand should be represented at that Conference and with a view to expediting the work of the House, will the Prime Minister kindly state now what policy measures he proposes *to bring down and their approximate order. I refer particularly to taxing Bills.” Mr. Forbes replied that possibly on Wednesday or the next day he could state what Bills would be brought down. He proposed as soon as possible to take the debate on Imperial Affairs —he hoped this week. Then he would be able to make a statement regarding the business of Parliament. Mr. Coates repeated that it would facilitate matters a great deal to know when Bills would be brought down, because he believed that although a number of his supporters had prepared speeches for the Financial Debate, they would either curtail or delete them if it was found desirable in the interests of saving time. The Prime Minister thanked the Opposition Leader for this suggestion, and explained that mapy representations were being made to him on the Customs proposals, and some had yet to be heard. This was the reason why, at the moment, he was unable to say when the Bill would be ready. As soon as these interviews were over, he would finalise the measure and he hoped to bring it before Parliament next week. PARTY ARRANGEMENT SUGGESTED. “Does the Prime Minister/’ remarked Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, “intend to seek any arrangement with other parties regarding putting through the business?” “Yes, my intention is to have a consultation with the leaders of the other two parties,” replied Mr. Forbes, “in regard to legislation and representation. I recognise that it would be a reflection on New Zealand if we were not represented at so important a Conference and if I go there as Prime Minister, I wquld only go op the understanding that while there I remained .Prime Minister (Laughter.) and that I had an opportunity of coming back to New Zealand as Prime Minister. To do that would require the co-operation of the other two parties in the House. I recognise that, and my intention was that when we had our business sufficiently finalised to say exactly what we thought would require to be put through this session, I would consult the other party leaders.” The Prime Minister added that he did not wish, to use such an arrangement as a lever to put through legislation which might be objected to under ordinary circumstances. There was quite a big programme of useful legislation which could be put through. Mr. Coates: “It is the policy measures one must know before I can personally express an opinion on an arrangement. ’ ’ The Prime Minister: 44 These will be the taxation proposals. These are the policy points. This is a session for finance and these are the important measures that require to be brought down at the earliest possible moment, so that the House can express an opinion upon them before any final arrangements can be made.”