HOME TOWN OPINION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 435, 20 January 1933, Page 5

HOME TOWN OPINION

Commenting on the reported resignation the Dunedin Star says there has been no confirmation of the report, but as neither Mr. Forbes nor Mr. Stewart, when approached has denied it, it has all the appearance of being true. The silenee of the Prime Minister in that case would suggest that he has hopes still of the adjustment of the difference, either from reconsideration on Mr. Stewart's part, or from surrendel' to his views on the part of the majority of Cabinet. The editorial . concludes : "A frank statement on the whole matter is early expected, and it cannot he made too soon." "The Government will be tremendously weakened if it permits itself to dispense with Mr. Stewart's services," says the Otago Times. "Next to the Prime Minister — perhaps even more than the Prime Minister — he is the most widely trusted member of the Government. There is no Minister who enjoys to a larger extent the respect of' the House. There is no other Minister nearly as capable, as he is, of dealing with the important questions of financial policy, and there is none other whose training and intellectual qualifications equip him to the same extent, as Mr. Stewart is equipped, for grappling with the industrial and economic issues. It will be a very unfortunate experience for the Government Qif Mr. Stewart is forced to relinquish office through a mistaken decision on the part of Cabinet respecting a question which closely affeets the Department controlled by him."