LABOUR'S ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 80, 1 October 1931, Page 14

LABOUR'S ATTITUDE

IMPREST SUPPLY DEBATE

r AMENDMENT LIKELY

Thu House of Representatives will resume to-morrow morning after the tenday adjournment to enable- the Coalition Government to formulate its programme. ■■'.■• The immediate business of the House to-morrow will bo .the passage o£ the monthly Imprest Supply Bill, when all subjects affecting the public exchequer and the country's interests will be open for discussion. The official Opposition will probably press the Government for some indication of the policy it proposes to pursue, but it is unlikely that any disclosure of tha plan now being discussed in Cabinet will be made until next. week. The Labour Party inado it clear when the announcement of the formation of a Coalition Government was made to ;thfl House that it will not be disposed ■to give general assistance to the ,new ] Administration in the work that lies i ahead, and it is said in the lobbies that the first opportunity will be taken to ■Challenge the Government and test the j feeling of the House. A no-confidence amendment will therefore make its .appearance early in to-morrow's proceedings. Though the result is a foregone conclusion, the Government having an ( assured majority of nearly half the House, the division list may bo of .interest in disclosing the attitude of some members whoso votes are uncertain. ■ , The new programme will be prcsontDrl.to the Honse on Tuesday. Jn roply to a, question to-day, the Prime Minister (the" Bight Hon. G. W. Forbes) stated that;the paper outlining tho Government's proposals will prpbably be read by the Minister of Finance (the Hon. \V. Downie Stewart), as. the whole policy will be wrapped up in financial considerations. The paper will then be circulated to enable members to give consideration to its contents, and an opportunity would bo given for.' discussion subsequently. Mr. Forbes indicated that aftor Mr. Stewart has finished reading, the House will go on to' consider the report of the Railways Boardoa lines under construction. Mr. Stewart's statement will be in the nature of a supplementary Budget.