EX-MSN1STER'S ACTION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 448, 4 February 1933, Page 5

EX-MSN1STER'S ACTION

("Post" Special Commissioner) .

STALLWORTHY LEAVES HIS COALITION COLLEAGUES . in the wilderness

o Wellington, Friday. The Coalition has lost the permanent support of one of its number, Mr. A. J. Stallworthy, who has forwarded to the Prime Minister a letter which is virtually one of resignation from the party to which he was returned as a member of the Coalition and pledged to support a policy of national reconstruetion and rehabilitation. Mr. Stallworthy

says he has waited patiently, but in vain, for fifteen months for that poi-, icy to materialise, and when the Government's p r ogramme culmihated in the inflation of the exchange — that will in his view

bring disaster to the country— he felt

compelled, in the interests of his constituents, to praetieally sever his connection with the. party. "I feel now that I am absolutely free of the Coalition," he said, "to exercise my absolute independence on behalf for the constituents of Eden on the merits of all measures that are submitted to the House." To-day he made it clear, however, that he did not propose to associate himself with the independent group in the House. Mr. Stallworthy's defection places the state of the parties as follows: Coalition 49 Labour 24 Independent ... 6 Country 1 The letter to the Prime Minister, which was dispatched before the member for Eden recorded his vote against the second reading of the Banks Indemnity Bill is as follows: "Dear Mr. Forbes, I wish respectfully to inform you that it is not my intention to attend any further caucus of the Coalition Party as at present constituted. My reasons for this deeision are briefly as follows: — "(1) In my opinion the methods of Cabinet are a travesty of representative Government. Members of the Parliamentary Party have not been consulted in the framing of legislative proposals, which for most times have reflected pressure of influences outside the House rather than the corporate wisdom of the elected representatives of the people. "(2) No doubt, largely as the result of the Government's faiiure, when deciding on a policy, and framing legislation, to consult members of Parliament, and through them the eleetors of the Dominion, much of the Government's policy has, in my opinion been subversive of public good, and of principles fundamental to social stability and progress. "(3) The eoercing of commercial banks to artificially raise the exchange rate in New Zealand on London to 25 per cent., when the favourable trade position of New Zealand, does not warrant it, is in my opinion, the culmination of a policy of Government interference with business that has been disastrous to the Dominion, and which is now a serious major hindrance to economic recovery. "(4) Your plain declaration in November last that the question of exchange was entii-ely one for the banks and that the Government would not interfere and your recent volte face as Prime Minister in doing what you said previously the Government would not do, . and what the banks declared was 'not in the interests of tho Dominion,' seemed to me to be a grave breach of trust. Ypur vaeillation has involved many of my constituents, along with thousands of others in the Dominion, in financial difficulties and ruin. In other cases, small minorities, by receiving advanced information of the pending rise in the exchange., have secured inordinate gains at the cost of the distress and ruin of their fellow citizens.. "Therefore it appears to me that constitutionally, in my representative canacity, it is my plain duty to vote

against you. Further, I may add that when you were given a free hand by your then ministers to form a National Government you accomplished only a Coalition Government. "However, it was then most definitely stipulated by the party that you, as the United Leader, must retain the Prime Ministership. This was insisted upon, I think, rightly so, as Mr. Coates had been lieavily defeated at the 1928 eleetion. Since last election, however, it has become painfully obvious that you are now Prime Minister in name only; that you have surrendered the leadership to Mr. Coates. Your volte face over the period of a few weeks on the high exchange issue, in my opinion, leaves no reasonable d.oubt about the matter." Generally the position has given rise to so much real discontent and unrest in the Dominion that much as it might be desirable to avoid a general election it is my conviction that responsible men having regard to the constitutional position, the Government has no moral right to remain in office if it has lost the confidence of the people. "Might I respectfully suggest that you call your* party together and frankly discuss the question of leadership. The present situation appears to me to demand the fullest opportunity for reconstruetion. If that is impossible I, for one., cannot deny the right of the people to a dissolution of the present Parliament. "In conclusion let me say that it is with feelings of deep personal regret that I find myse.lf in serious conflict with your policy and methods. Pl-ease absolve me from any desire to dictate, ' as I believe in every man upholding himself the sanctity of conseience and the right of private judgment. I have always appreeiated your honesty of purpose, your unfailing courtesy and your unquestionahle desire to do the right thing. I am sensible iof unprecedented hurdens that have fallen upon your shoulders. Though I feel constrained to dift'er with you politieally please aecept, personally,

my sincerest regards and good wishes. Yours faithfully, A. J. Stallworthy."