MORE COALITION RUMOURS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1931, Page 8

MORE COALITION RUMOURS

ECONOMIC POSITION. WELLINGTON, Kel ruary 11. The Prime Minister ami Cabinet have been so immersed in urgent work due to the earthquake that it has been impossible to complete the statement on measures the Government will adopt to meet the economic position and the country’s falling revenue. Mr Forbes will hear representations I'roni the public service and the railway staff on Thursday regarding feared wage cuts, and he is unable to say when the promised statement will be published. It can, however, be taken for granted that this will be done with a minimum of delnv.

I Fusion suggestions' arc revived by a I circumstantial rumour in Auckland I that the Minister of Defence, the Hen. J. a. Cobbe, lias volunteered to resign his portfolio if this will make l*ie way easy for the joining of tin* United with the Reform forces. When this statement was referred to Mr Cobbe by a ‘Times” correspondent lie limited his comment to the following:—‘‘l am anxious to know who circulated that rumour.” X() PROGRESS. Inquiries of a more general nature indicate that the fusion discussion has not progressed any stage since the declaration of Mr Coates several weeks ago regarding the lines on which the Reform Party was prepared to cooperate with the Government, while the latter’s attitude is clearly shown in a declaration of the Prime Minister to an influential deputation organ'sed b.v the Associated Chambers of Commerce recently. Though not specifically referring to coalition proposals, his remarks had a direct bearing on the suggestions. Mr Forbes declared that the Government found itself with the responsibility for serious decisions which must make it unpopular with some .sections of the community, but it must take that responsibility, and could only askfor the co-operation of all in meeting an emergency so great that it had missed beyond the region of party polities. LABOUR CAUCUS. It is stated that the Parliamentary Labour Party intends holding a caucus in Wellington about a week lienee to consider matters connected with the coming emergency sesison.