The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1936. THE LABOUR CAUCUS

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19816, 21 February 1936, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1936. THE LABOUR CAUCUS

The Labour caucus has been summoned to enable the party leaders to explain to the members the extent of the Government's proposals which will be embodied in the legislation that is to be brought down. As had been anticipated the heavy task of drafting the measures will make it impossible for Parliament to assemble this month; indeed, the date of the opening of the session is still uncertain, but Mr Savage wants all to be in readiness so that the House can commence its work without delay. The caucus will have afforded the private members an opportunity to criticise the proposals with greater freedom than they would exercise in the House, but it is unlikely that there will be any marked departure from the platform, as outlined by Mr Savage, and the election manifesto issued by the party. The proceedings yesterday were, of course, of a private nature. The meeting was for the members of the party only, but interest in the meeting was widespread. And fortunately there is a distinct promise, made by the Prime Minister, that the public will be kept well informed. The people, Mr Savage said, would have the opportunity to understand at least the principles involved in the legislation before anything was passed into law. “We don’t intend to keep the public in the dark,” Mr Savage added, “ for nothing of good comes out of the dark. Our job is to let the public know what we are doing.” Little official information has been made available yet, and some of the statements made have appeared to be contradictory. It was stated that the basis of the guaranteed price would not be made known until the Bill was before Parliament, yet the Minister of Agriculture, speaking at Masterton on Wednesday, said that there would be an early announcement and he was confident that the Government had met the position in a very handsome way. There is a great deal to be said in favour of the proposals of any Government being made known as soon ‘as possible. In some cases, of course, such as adjustments of the Customs tariff, that is not practicable, but generally it serves a most useful purpose. The last Government adopted that course with respect to the Reserve Bank Act. It enables all interested to study the plan and affords time for public opinion to crystali.se. Parties adversely affected are able to make plans for placing their views before the Ministry or some committee of the House, and if it is thought necessary members can ascertain the views of their constituents in a general way. The legislative programme of the present Government is to break much new ground, so that the provision of sufficient time for the people to examine it is desirable. The guaranteed price basis will affect the primary producers and they should have an opportunity to ascertain definitely how they will be placed when the new system is in operation. Mr Savage, since he formed his Ministry, has stressed the importance he places on the co-operation of the people with the Government, and that will not be possible unless the essentials of the legislative are made available prior to the discussion in Parliament.