PARLIAMENT TO MEET

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 34, 10 February 1931, Page 10

PARLIAMENT TO MEET

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS

( COALITION POSSIBLE

. It has been regarded as inevitable for some time that there would bo a special session of Parliament this year, primarily owing to the serious . state- of the national finances. Since the return of Mr. Forbes from tho Imperial Conference, Cabinet has boon ' engaged almost daily in reviewing tho position, and definite measures have now been decided upon. These meas- . ures will be announced in a few days by the Prime Minister, whose preparation of a comprehensive statement has been delayed on account of the earthquake. It is - freely stated in Government circles, however, that the chief measures proposed by Cabinet are the following:— (1) The conferring of power on the Arbitration Court to revise existing awards. . , (2) A further "cut" in the ualaries of Civil Servants. (3) Steps towards the depoliticalisstion of the railways. VERY DRASTIC. In statements made since his return from London, Mr. Forbes has made it plain that the measures to be taken by the Government will be very drastic, and confirmation of this was ■ gained by a "Post" reporter to-day in the course of an interview with the Minister of Justice and Defence (the O Hon; J. G. Cobbe). Mr. Cobbe said that the Government proposals would be found to be very drastic and probably would not prove acceptable or palatablo to a large section of tho <-•; community. , That is not worrying the. Government, said Mr. Cobbe, and we are determined to stand or fall by our programme. If we fail, then we will have the satisfaction of knowing that ■we have done our duty as we see it. The duty of the Government at the i present juncture is plain, and we axe I not concerned in the least as to ■whether we will be popular or not. The Government realises that its action is likely to lead to the loss of several seats at, the next General Election, but we are prepared to face that possibility. Personal ambitions do not count at a time like the present. . .. Mr. Cobbe referred.to the necessity of the Government securing tho support of one of the other,parses in order to place its measures on the Statute Book, ana said ho had no doubt that that support would be forthcoming. "This is not a time for party," said •Mr. Cobbe. . "The main thing is to wet tho job done as quickly as possible, and I am certain Parliament will agree." TALK OF COALITION. It is stated in Parliamentary circles that the possibility of a coalition between the Reform and United Parties is not so remote as might bo generally imagined. Quito a large number of members of the Beform Party, it is stated, are prepared to come to a working arrangement with the Government,

An announcement that a special session of Parliament will commence on Wednesday, 11th March, was made by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) last evening, just prior to his departure for Hawkes Bay. Parliament, said the Prime Minister, is being asked to assemble to deal with the economic position of the country and to pass any legislation that might be necessary in connection with the earthquake disaster.

| even to the extent of forming a National Government. A "Post" reporter was informed authoritatively to-day that at least one member of tho .present Cabinet has signified to Mr. Forbes his willingness to resign his portfolio in order, to pave the way for a coalition. It is stated that other Ministers have taken the same action. Whether a National Government will come into being or not is, of course, a matter for future negotiation between the United and Reform Parties, but' there are- certainly indications that tho way has been prepared for an "understanding. STRONG OPPOSITION. Any amendment to tho Industrial, Conciliation and Arbitration Act in the direction of giving the Court power to revise existing awards is bound to be strongly opposed by the Labour Party, which has declared itself as against a reduction in the wage' standard. One prominent member oi! the Labour Party stated to-day that any such proposal on the part of the Government would bo opposed to the utmost, and that squalls would certainly be looked fey during the coming session. A further "cut" in tho salaries of Civil Servants is also likely to be strenuously opposed by the Labour Party, especially if there is no limitation as to tho salaries to be affected. The possibility of some support being given not only from the Reform benches, but also from the Government benches cannot be altogether overlooked. One member of the United Party representing a rural district indicated quite plainly, when speaking to a. "Post. reporter, that ho was entirely opposed to wage reductions at present. His view was that every effort should be made to maintain the present standard of living and the purchasing power of the public. He expressed the opinion that, if the Government made any proposal to reduce wages it would be heading for political extinction. That opinion appears to be an isolated one, however, and the majority of Government members who have been spoken to have admitted that the Government is taking the only possible course in the circumstances. Generous tributes have been paid to the courageous attitude which the Prime Minister has adopted. THE RAILWAYS. The Prime Minister has so far given no definite indication of his intentions in regard to tho railways, but it is stated that the recommendations of the recent Commission willbe adopted, in part, at least. The recommendation of the Commission was: — That- the Department, be dcpolitiealiscd, and the railways be administered by a Board of Directors with full powers to control the operations and staff and be responsible for the results obtained. There is a feeling in some quarters that the Government should postpone any action in regard to the railways until the ordinary session of Parliament in June, but it is stated that the Prime Minister is aiixious to bring about a reorganisation as soon as possible.