COUNTRY’S PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 200, 25 August 1931, Page 8

COUNTRY’S PROBLEMS

MR POLSON S VIEWS HOUSE MAY BE ADJOURNED WILL ELECTION BE HELD? [ Per Press Association. J STRATFORD, Aug. 24. The appointment of a committee representative of all parties in Parliament, as outlined by the Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives on Friday, w r as referred to by Mr W. J. Polson, M.P., in the course of an interview with the Stratford Post this morning. "The appointment of this committee," he said, "is in line with what has been done in Australia, where a committee representative of the various parties of the Federal Parliament was set up. The committee called in experts, including Professor Copeland, who drafted what is known as the Copeland Plan. "The proposal to adopt a similar method in New Zealand has been under discussion in banking and commercial circles ever since, and no doubt has received much attention from the Government.

"For this reason Mr Coates’ crystallisation of the idea more or less predominant in every one’s mind, was welcomed by the whole House as the first step in a nearer approach by the various partits to a common plan of examination of the country’s difficulties.

"Mr Coates in his proposal suggested the adjournment of the House for a short period while the committee deliberated. The Labour Party did not agree and for the sake of unanimity this was cut out of the motion.

"I think, however, the committee will require a free hand in dealing with all the questions discussed in the Budget, including taxation, economies, loan conversion, interest reduction tariffs and so on. Under those circumstances it is difficult to see how Parliament can continue to discuss those questions. It has been suggested that members might devote attention to non-contentious matters and private members’ Bills, but I doubt if members would be content, or if the country would wish them to carry on under such conditions, with grave major issues immediately confronting them?" General Election. "What effect will this have on the general election?" the Post asked Mr Polson. "I confess I am not able to answer that," Mr Polson replied. , "If this committee adopts a national plan and all parties accept it and the Government agrees to accept the assistance of the committee in carrying out ( that plan, I don’t see how any of the other two parties could put up more than a sham fight on the hustings. "It would look as only one programme were possible for any party to lay before the electors —the programme adopted by the National Committee, and presumably that would be the only programme acceptable to the country. "I assume, therefore, that candidates would all have the one story to tell, and the only grounds on which electors could exercise a choice would be on the personal qualifications of candidates. "Whether it will be a worth-while policy to put the country to the expense of a general election in order to enable individuals to exercise their predelictions along those lines is certainly doubtful. "However, it is too early to express any definite opinion. It is possible that conditions may occur which will alter the whole viewpoint and make an election desirable. On this matter the Labour Party has definitely declared it will not delay the election, and possibly it will later disclose reasons which will justify this opinion. "One thing is clear, and that is that the country realises the necessity for the best brains in Parliament to be united in grappling with its difficulties, and this step taken in time may have a tremendous effect upon our future development. ’ ’