The Guardian And Evening star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1932. CASTING THE NET

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1932. CASTING THE NET

Ihe Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) has made it plain he is going to carry out his election pledges, and spread the sharing of the recovery proposals. He -will be, as he is being, criticised at every turn, and all kinds of dire tar eats are thing made. But Mr Forbes has shown himself to be the man lor the task. A Labour advocate reporting the result of a visit to the Prime Minister, said Mr Forbes’ reply had been “a. stubborn refusal.” Tins does not do the Prime Minister justice. Actually he stood his ground to a

■deputation bent on harrastsing him ro the fullest. He did not give a bare refusal, but gave chapter and verse why he could not grant tbefr requests, and summing up the motives of the deputation as purely for propaganda purposes. The Minister .stood to hie guns as lie had a right to do, when iihpresesd wftli the justice and neoew-ait-y for Ids attitude. Mr Forbes "'ill hot receive jihy kudos from (he Opposition, Ipit jt is well at wll ft critical time there is a man with backbone to carry through the policy deemed necessary for the salvation of the country's finances. Actually, ■economy commissions’, economists and all with a knowledge of the need for bailaneing the Budget, state economics must be put into force. This advice is general on all sides, and it is enviously necessary if national banktTiptcy is to be avoided. The details of an economy scheme naturally cause dissension, but it is not any use to pander to one party or another, when a. hold and definite effort has to lie made. Mr Forbes makes it plain that he is going to spread the burden over all classes. Perhaps when this comes to pass, as it will, Mr Forbes having made peace with his party followers, less complaint- will be heard, and the community will he prepared to give lews blame to the man whoso duty and task it is to put the economy schemes through. Mr Forbes must have the fullest hacking from his party, for the individual members were returned to support the economy policy deemed necessary for the country s welfare. Likewise lie must have the wholehearted support of his Ministers. In England all did not go well even with the National Ministry in regard to the adoption of protection, but there, rather than cause a split, the Free Trade Ministers in the Cabinet, waived their personal views to the general policy accepted by the House of Commons. In the New Zealand Parliament there are some die-hards who will talk about the sanctity of con--1 tracts, and breach of undertakings when the. reduction of interest is brought, I'brwa.rd. But circumstances are reponsible for altered conditions. As Mr Forbes has laid it down there must he equality of sacrifice, and if one his his income reduced by cuts, why not the same medicine in intern,-t ruls. Probably round this aspect the strongest battle will wage, for there are obvious coniingencies, hut this j s time for general ,-acriliee, and under Mr Forbes’ die! am no section shot:h! C'-T.ipe. That seems lair, and the count rv is fortunate in having a man w'tb the will and determination tii put through Ids avowed policy <>l universal application.