POSSIBILITIES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 434, 19 January 1933, Page 5

POSSIBILITIES

("Post" Special Commissioner).

MR. STEWART COMMANDS DEFINITE FOLLOWING IN HOUSE COMPLICATED ISSUES

Wellington, Wednesday. In the ordinary course of events the resignation of a minister would be a se.nsation for a day and quickly fade out of the headlines, but in the case of Mr. Stewart there may he f ar-reaching complications. It is wellknown in political circles that he is the ablest man in the Cabinet. He is the only member of the Government with a competent grasp of finance, and as this is the vital problem of the day, his place cannot be adequat-

ely filled. During Mr. , Stewart's « absence abroad, his portfolio was taken over by Mr. Forbes, who had suceeeded the late Sir Joseph Ward as Minister of Finance, but even the Prime Minister's hest friends would not hold any brief for hina as a financial expert. During his tenure of office, Mr. Forbes was wholly in the hands of the Trea'sury officials, and it was, perhaps, just as well for the country. There is also further significance attaching to Mr. Stewart's resignation. He was the prime mover in the formatfon of the Coalition. Right up to the last minute, Mr. Coates believed in a policy "helping and not hindering," and his party as § whole was opposed to fusion. However, when Mr. Stewart stood firmly in favour of a Coalition of the two main parties his mana won the day. In the ranks of the Reform Party he has a definite following and should ' he endeavour to rally a group around him his appeal will not fall on deaf ears. Already three members of the Coalition, Messrs. Wright, Stallworthy and A. M. Samuel (Government, Thames), have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the Government policy, and have refrained from attending caucus meetings. Others have talked hotly in the lobbies, but have not so far, expressed similar opinions on the floor of the House. The latest development might givo them more courage, and one could inumerate endless possible developments. There is one thing certain. In the event of a clean brealc between Mr. Stewart and the other members of the Ministry, the position of the Coalition will be considerably weakened, and it may even be precarious. On three or four occasions, divisions on policy matters have been extraordinarly close and in some cases the Government has been compelled to modify original proposals in the face, of criticism and opposition within 1

the ranks of its .own party. One development not beyond the grounds of possibility is a" general election, and if an election did coipe abont it is almost certain that tjie issue would be between town aiijl country with, perhaps', confusing complications. 1 Not since the resignatipn of Sir Joseph Ward after the 1911electidii has the political atmosphere" - hefen franght with so many possibilties, ahil the next move is being awaited With excited and impatient interest.