THE NEXT MOVE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 441, 27 January 1933, Page 4

THE NEXT MOVE

The reticence of the Coalition leaders with regard to their legislative proposals is clearly causing members of the party some uneasiness. They have listened to the seductive assurances that free voting would have the disastrous result ,of placing a Labour Government in power and have, apparently, agreed to stand by Cabinet and put through the Banking Indemnity Bill, but fears are being awakened as to the eonsequences of this blindfold allegiance. When asked if the Government intended to do anything for other sections of the community both Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coates refused to come definitely to the point. Members are, naturally, becoming restive under such uncertainty. Many of them are, unquestionably, honestly convinced that the raising of the exchange will benefit not only the farmers but the eountry generally. But they also realise that by itself exchange revision cannot be the j benefit at first anticipated. Some- ! thing more will be necessary to | enable the eountry to weather j the passing storm of depression, I and unless the Government is iprepared to act there will be j some sadly disillusionecl support- ; ers of the Coalition. It is auth- | oritatively stated that some pertinent questions were put to the J leaders at the caucus this week, j but they failed to give any reassuring informgition. It is real-

ised on all sides that the pegging of the exchange cannot stand I alone as a remedial measure. The farmers need help badly and by j this means it will be given to them. Prices have already shown j a healthy tendency to get back to a normal standard. This relief to the primary producer cannot fail to react to the advantage of the general public, but it will not suffice. Members, of the Coalition Party realise this 'and want to know if anything is contemplated for other classes. Vague rumours are current about saies taxes, overhaul of the Customs tariff, rebate on county rates and conversion of local body loans, but there is nothing definite or concrete to guicle the eountry or the members. If Cabinet has not reached "I a decision on this important

phase of the political situation it is time it did. No programme will be satisfactory to the constituencies unless it contains provision for improving conditions for the commercial and industrial sections of the community. Businessmen are everywhere heavily hit by the depression. Many of them are as badly hit as the farmers and the prospect of contracted 'purchasing power among the wage-earners by increase prices can only forecast disaster. Is it possible that the Government cannot realise this fact or are we to take it that having been stampeded into the pegging of the exchange its legislative courage has become paralysed and that nothing further will be done. It is assuredly most disheartening to find that the bold step with regard to exchange is not to be followed up by a comprehensive effort to put the eountry once more upon its feet. Something must be done or Messrs Forbes and Coates will find that it has been unwise to rely too completely upon fear of Labour. The fact that the Coalition is not the happy family illustrated by the pledged majority of ten is becoming quite apparent and it is not surprising to learn that the United section of the party is beginning to realise that its ideals af e not likely to be realised. Somewhat belatedly they have come to see that Reform is able to dominate the position and that Mr. Coates is not altogether a pleasant political bedfellow. However, the events of the next few weeks should clear the outlook and show the direction in which the political machine is headed.