The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1931. POLITICAL ISSUES.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1931. POLITICAL ISSUES.

Now that the result of the Hauraki election i. s known, special interest will centre on possible political issues, with the probable outcome' of the session to open next month, It will .<i recalled that the Reform organisation in Hauraki, prior to the public announcement of Mr Coates on tlie matter, vetoed the idea of fusion, mid the polling so far as. that electorate is concerned oonfirhied the attitude very definitely. That will he 'some encouragement to Mr Coates to pursue the course he lias set, and leave. it to the general election to decide the issue ns to the major party in the House. But of course it will be in> portant to know just on what issue the members will go before the country. Apart from party proclivities, there is an essential policy for the country to undertake. Air Forbes' Government is pursuing that policy with courage and resource, but the l ull poliev is far from being disclosed a good deal that is unpleasant has been done, and more in the same category is to he attempted. The taxation proposals have to be brought down, and this may be made an early test on the floor of the House. The defeat of the Government on this essential phase of its policy, would meen an appeal to the country. But it has to be borne in mind, what ever party is in the ascendancy after the general election the main issue as to the necessity of 'balancing the budget will still have to be attended to. Mr Forbes has .shown the way. and as far as he lias gone, has Ind Reform with him. But there is a good deni further to go. and probably more drastic economies to he enforced, ft will not he popular, perhaps, with the multitude, and doubtless the Government will he penalised for the genuine effort to do its duty irrespective of office: hut with the clean-thinkers, Mr Forbes is receiving credit throughout the Dominion for his courage, and has made many friends outside his own party by the Inherent ability he has displayed in handling a very difficult situation. Tt is clear, too, that he, has very capable colleagues acting unitedly with him in a policy which is arresting the financial drift and which will ultimately lead to the sane recovery of the financial prospects of the Dominion. But despite all this, the task has its unsavoury side to a section of the public who will not realise the fact in resneet to the national situation and the need there is for a complete overhaul of the public expenditure. Yet we see the local bodic-s and business firms pursuing the same policy in their affairs—which of course are on a smaller scale than national interests. But the same principle of prudent policy is involved, yet we do not hear of the local bodies or the business firms being discredited as a section of the public is prepared to rail against a prudent national policy. The House will soon be meeting., on a numerical footing equal to that of last session. Mr Forbes and his Government have a most difficult task to perform, and it can be understood he will he anxious to know exactly where he stands with Parliament. An early test in respect to important policy proposals may be expected. In the meantime, the party leaders arc moving about freely, and electorates are busy selecting the party candidates. This seems to anticipate prospects for an early appeal to the people. Tn t 1" circumstances, it is as well that it should come without any great delay, so that there may be the possibility of settled Government for a period. The present uncertainty due to the division of parties of equal numbers approximately, is not conducive to settled security. The reigning power ha s to be suhservent to a degree to one of the other parties, and this is unsatisfactory, a<s the politic''l histonof late has recorded. Tt will be e-nod for New Zealand when its immediate polit'i'H fate is more definitely settled and full recovery can be gone on with on well Refined lines.