THE NEW CABINET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET

SITTINGS RESUMED NO SETTLED PLANS YET POLICY STATEMENT LATER A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET [ F«r Prw* Association. 1 WELLINGTON, Sept. 28. After the week-end rest, Cabinet esnmed its sittings again this afternoon and continued its deliberations until well into the night. According to a statement by the Prime Minister, no attempt has yet been made to deal with specific ques tions, and it is likely that any attempt to frame definite legislation to give effect to whatever proposals are made will be deferred until later this week, or possibly early next week. The Prime Minister will announce the Gov-

enunent’s policy in a Ministerial statement which will be in the nature of a Supplementary Budget, and the discussion that wifi follow will be regarded by members as a minor Budget debate. The Railway Board’s report on lines under construction is expected to be taken at an early date, and is likely to be the basis >f a lengthy debate. The greater part of the past few days has been spent by Ministers and departmental heads applying the economy ax? with a heavy hand to the Estimates which had already been prepared for the current financial year, but which are now generally recognised as being in need of a further overhaul. Material reductions are believed to have been made in some of the important votee, and anxiety is displayed in certain departments as to the nature of the reactions these cuts will produce. Task for Departmental Heads.

It is gathered,'too, that some of the departmental officers have been sent back by their Ministers to reduce what they had already declared to be the irreducible minimum of this year’s expenditure, with thp result that the administrative cupboards will be left exceedingly bare until the finances have been reviewed and the Budget has been balanced. The perusal of the Estimates, however is onlv a small part of the task of the new' Ministry, the members of which are about to make a determined effort to improve the economic position of the primary producer by a comprehensive readjustment of farmers’ finance, particularly in the direction of bringing down overhead costs. One of the Ministers, commenting upon this phase of the new Cabinet’s work, said he felt the country would be agreeably impressed when the plans of the Government were revealed. There is a great deal of speculation among members of Parliament upon the duration of the Coalition and the almost assured postponement of the general election for a period. The Cabinet le eare fully avoiding this subject, be- 4 atnin as one Minister remarked this morning, "We eannot determine how long the Coalition will be required until we see how the House will take what we are going to give it” Individual Opinions.

Although loyalty to the Coalition was generally assured by members of the United and Reform parties when the ehange-over was made, there is no guarantee that the Government will be accorded the full support of the House upon its policy measures. Very soon after the House resumes, for example, the Government will introduce resolutions recommending the complete adoption of the Bailways Board’s report stopping six of the seven railway lines now under construction. As individual members feel most strongly upon the merits of the lines in which their districts are interested, the discussion and voting will be devoid of party ties, with the possible result that a very mived opinion will be reflected in the division lists. To forecast complete unanimity upon the decision of the Bailways Board would be to ask too much of Parlia ment. Labour opposes it for a start and there will be some division of opinion among other members as well. “They are asking for trouble if they expect unanimity upon all policy questions,’’ declared one member in the lobby during the week. “There are several things I want to discuss when they come down.’’ Strength of the Coalition. It is probable, nevertheless, that the Government will be ensured a majority upon most of its legislation because the strength of the Coalition is overwhelming and allows for quite a number of defections upon specific questions before any absences wojild begin to be felt. Some members have interpreted the pledges to the Coalition as implying complete support -upon the emergency policy, but the necessity for this promise from members is generally agreed as being on account of the possibility of fresh groups springing up in the House and forming the nucleus of new political parties. It is anticipated that the first portion of the Government’s programme will be in legislative form by the time the House meets again. The drafting office has, it is learned, been advised to prepare for a rush o legislation during ♦ha next few weeks. The task of the new Government is a heavy one and possibly a long one.