POLITICAL

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1932, Page 5

POLITICAL

A BREACH OF CONFIDENCE

(til Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 6

An unfortunate incident occurred to-day when a. statement, revealing pait of the Government’s policy, was published in seme papers, under circumstances whigh led the Prime Minister to allege this evening that a breach of confidence had been committed

The statement referred to the Government Caucus to-day, at which the following feaures of the Government's policy were revealed : (1) A second cut in their wages to the public servants, on a graduated basis rising from five per cent. to twelve and a-lialf per cent. (2) A universal reduction of interest rates and rents. _

(3) A reduction in certain classes of pensions.

These predictions are all quite correct, but there is reason to believe that they were revealed as the result of a private conference which Mr Forbes held with certain interests yesterday morning.

“I feel that this breach of confidence is a prety rotten thing,” said Mu Forbes this evening, “because the members and those present at the conference also were asked to .keep the informaion strictly confidential.”

PREMIER’S VERSION

WELLINGTON, April 6

The Coalition Parties, held a Caucus this morning, Following this, Ml’ Foybos said that, although there had been some differences of opinion in re* gard tu certain points of the Government’s policy, the general opinion was that the Government was pursuing the right course in view of the condition of the country’s finances. The House would be given a full opportunity to discuss the reports of the Economic Committee and of the National Expenditure Commission. He said that one comprehensive Finance Bill would be introduced, and the passing of this Bill would practically bring to an end the business of Parliament. It has not been decided, he said, whether the House would merely adjourn, or whether a new session would bo opened in June.