The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1931. ASSURING STABILITY.
The public will- await with great interest to-morrow for what will probably be the preliminary report of the Grand Committee of the House on the financial situation. The Committee is thoroughly representative, and contains as good a selection a,s could be made by a ballot of the whole Hous e when a representative three from each party was necessary. The members of the Committee will to-day be receiving intimate particulars of the national position. We do not know that it is any worse than outlined in the Budget, though in the meantime there has been no outward evidence of any improvement. But according to the P.’.n‘amentarv pressmen, the "Prime Minister saw the Leaders of the parties in the forenoon of Friday, and Mr Coates, motion was produced in the afternoon after the sectional parties had been consulted. Mr Forbes remarks m reference to falling revenue and to the indebtedness of a number of local
bodies were unusually grave,- so that a more serious situation might be in sight. But if so, the House has gone the right way to meet' it. Stability he-yond doubt is necessary at the present juncture to assure, or rather to reassure capital so that normal progress may proceed. When the parties realise the situation, it may be. assumed they will be prepared to grapple with it in such a way as to enable the country to retain or recover its prestige with the world at large. New Zealand will have to pay its way, which is the essence of balancing the budget. Mr Forbes has made his proposals, and with, the' increased taxation, the opposing parties found much to criticise and condemn. But to balance the budget more revenue must be found, and as we, saw with the provision for the relief of unemployment, found quickly. Tile House, however, discussed the budget proposals vei'y leisurely, aiid the references to finance were few and far between. It would appear tile House was not prepared to go to a division on the definite proposals. That aloofness is now ended, and there will be something definite from the present party conference. It is probably doubtful whether Labour will see eye to eve with the United and Reform members as 'to the remedies, and that may bring about, difficulties. On the question of, economies .which cannot be overlooked at this juncture, there will also be differences, because whatever may be attempted, unpleasant duties will have to be proposed. Labour on the eve of an election may not go the whole way in the measures suggested, but the conference will at least clear un doubts as to the ability of the country to- pull through. That can be achieved by a majority Government prepared to do its duty, and with sufficient support behind it Mr Forbes’ Ministry is prepared to carry on, courageously, and accept the consequence of its at-tions at the polls. It will be to the credit of those members who rally to the support of the Government now to secure stability.
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Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1931, Page 4
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523The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1931. ASSURING STABILITY. Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1931, Page 4
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