The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1931. THE PRIME MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 1931. THE PRIME MINISTER.

The Rt. Hon, 0, W. Forbes has proved himself well in the special session of Parliament. He has stood four square to all attacks, remaining solid in nil emergency. Air Forbes seems to be the man lor the hour. When time of the hour strikes, in the eternal fitness of things, the man for the occasion is generally forthcoming. That has happened just now in the appearance of Mr For has at the political holla. Mr Forbes lias been a political student over many years. He has enjoyed the confidence of his constituents for a long period, which in itself is some indication of his personal qualities. Per. sonnlily counts a good deal in politics, and the years over when Mr Forbes lias weathered the appeals to the electors, have hern years of useful service in which he has fitted himself for the task, not to say ordeal, through which lie is now leading the country. Mr Forbes seems to have* been chosen by fate to lead at this juncture, bora use lie has qualities, courage and determination to act up to the highest impersonal principles for the good of the country. He is not taking a popular side, nor is lie attempting to do anything that is papula". He has the heavy ord of the stick in carrying out the obvious duty before him. and he is

performing it in. a courageous spirit, well aware of his resnonsbilities, hut not shirking any of the unpleasantness of his job. Tie lias boon railed at by the Labour opposition and entourage, lie has been, baited in tin* Hmiw, and his patience and physical condition tried to the utmost in the endeavour to do his duty as ho sees it. Mr Forbes has won through it all. with an even temper and a logical address on every aspect which his opponents has put tin in the endeavour to shake the Government policy. Air Forbes lias not hidden any details from Parliament. TTo is a nlain spoken man and he has indulged in the plainest of speech. His opponents for political purposes to suit their own ends, have been outwardly unconvinced by what ATr Forbes said. but. probably we can see in the slotvlv dving down of the opposition, a realisation that there was n responsibility on ATr Forbes and the Government in these times of financial stress and it would he well to let the nroposals take their course. His speech the other night showed the earnestness and dear thinking of the Prime Afinister in the midst of the political turmoil in the House. “Undoubtedly” he said “we are in. the worst financial stress this country lias ever known, and T am sneaking as Afinistev of Finance when T sav there is no bright spot in the figures. Flore we are trying to do our host to put things right, and those men (including the Labour benches) are throwing sand in the hearings instead of bringing forward facts that count. They know that meat, butter and other commodities that count in the ordinary cost of living are far below 10 per cent. down. Tf we continued at a high level our difficulty would he to find money to pay salaries. Tt is all very well to say ‘put on more income tax.’ Wait until they see what we have to do in regard to taxation to save this country. We will have to call noon those who have to share the burden to a very large extent indeed.’ q’his is a plain yet weighty statement of the position. The proposals of the Finance Bill are likely to prove but an incident in the radical' policy necessary at this stage to save the country’s credit. While the salaries “cut’’ is to save expenditure, further taxation is to come to provide more revenue. The financial position is such that, one is necessarily complementary to the other. AR Forbes has put his hand to the wheel and knowing what is required is just the type of man to put his proposals through.