PARTY ELIMINATED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 29, 26 September 1931, Page 3

PARTY ELIMINATED

> ("Post" Special Commissioner) .

NEW CABINET TACKLING COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS UNITEDLY FURTHER WAGE CUTS NOT ' FAVOURED OTHER ECONOMIES FIRST

WELLINGTON, Friday. j Evidence is not lacking that at the * outset of its consideration of the ••• problems incidental to the country's ^ rehabilitation, the Coalition Cabinet - is working as a happy family. It is j common knowledge that party differ- ^ ences have been entirely subdued in v the combined effort which is being '/ made to restore confidence and stability in the Dominion's affairs and that a spirit of co-operation is a } marked feature of the discussions in £ the Cabinet. ' U Apart from Cabinet meetings daily, conferences of an informal na- . ture are taking place between Ministers irrespective of party associa-

tions and this is m keepmg with the distribution of seats around the Cabinet table. > In an endeavour to complete its s policy, Cabinet is sitting long hours. Following a three-hour meeting yes- » terday afternoon, Minister s were in conference until 11 o'clock last night. . It is gathered that up to the present the deliberations have been confined to an examination and analysis • of all the available facts, and that as >, a result, decisions will be made without delay. Questions affecting taxation and economies have occupied a good deal of attention, and it is learned that

instructions have been given to de- A partmental heads to submit detailed information covering every avenue of possible reduction in national expenditure, particularly in respect to the finances of their own charges. It is stated that the Ministry is averse to making any further cuts in wages and salaries in the public service, or to effecting any alterations •«. in pension benefits, except as a last resort, and that as a means of avoiding any such action, it is hopeful of b'inging about departmental sav'r.gi in other directions. To this end the estimates which had previously been carefully pruned by the United Government, are being subjected to still further rigorous scrutiny. There is an impression that the . majority of the proposals to be formulated by the new Ministry will require to operate at least 12 months to show real results, and this fact will be kept in view in any determination respecting an extension of the life of Parliament. This encourages the belief that any postponement of the general electionS will be at least for one year. , On the other hand, the financial year ' closes at March 31, and the closing of the 12-month period would afford a natural opportunity for a stocktaking. It may be that consideration would then be given to the question of the deferre^l appeal to the electors. However, a decision on the whole subject is likely to be the last of the conclusions Cabinet will reach. The first meeting of the new Executive Council took place at Government Buildings at noon to-day, when all members were present, the Gover-nor-General, Lord Bledisloe, of course presiding.