URBAN INTERESTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 599, 2 August 1933, Page 4

URBAN INTERESTS

The possibility of the formation of a political "cave" as the outcome of the distsatisfaction of urban representatives with what they feel is the "agrarian bias" of the Coalition Government is arousing some interested speculation at the present time. The compulsion applied to the Government last session by the country members in eonneetion with the raising of the exchange rate has given the urban members an indication of what may be accomplished and it seems almost certain that they will take some action to press their claims when Parliament meets again in a few weeks' time. For some weeks past there have been discussions in Wellington among members representing urban districts, and it is stated that their object is to safeguard their districts against what they describe as sectional legislation. They assert that it : is not their idea to f orm a group jthat is hostile to the Government, but to bring sufficient influence to bear on the Ministry to cause it to follow a policy that is more likely to meet with the approval of the towns. These urban members state that they are genuinely concerned over the possible fate of the Government in the event of a general election. They consider that the strong feeling of dissatisfaction which exists as a result of the high exchange policy and the imposition of heavy taxation might find expression in a strong antiGovernment vote which may be sufficiently strong to cause reverses even in electorates which i have been considered saf e in the past. Members who are concerned with the movement, however, stress the point that the present is not the right time to jeopardise the Government's position in the House, but they feel that they can do good service by working within the Coalition in an endeavour to improve the position of their constituents. In general their attitude will depend on the reception they receive from Cabinet. That in turn may depend on the strength of the movement. At the present time there is an official Opposition in the House of twenty-four Labour members, and they have had the consistent support of Messrs E. T. Tirikatene (Southern Maori) and H. Atmore (Nelson). Messrs C. A. Wilkinson (Egmont) and H„ M. Rushworth (Bay of Islands) have also shown open hostility to the Government, although the former is also a frank critic of Labour and might not vote with the Opposition if it meant placing the Labour Party on the Treasury Be'nches. In addition to those mentioned Messrs W. A. Bodkin (Otago Central), P. McSkimming (Clutha), D. McDougall (Mataura), W. A. Veitch (Wanganui) , A. Harris (Waitemata) , R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) and A. J. Stallworthy (Eden) voted against the Government on the Banks Indemnity (Exchange)* Bill. Of these Messrs Bodkin, McDougall, aiid McSkimming represent rural constituencies, and they, with Mr. Harris have returned to the fold, while Messrs Wright and Stallworthy, who used to sit behind the Ministerial benches, have shifted their seats to the cross benches. The members of the Government party whose constituencies are predominatingly urban are Messrs H. Harris (Waitemata), W. P. Endean (Parnell), W. A. Veitch (Wanganui), S. G. Smith (New Plymouth), J. A. Nash (Palmerston), R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), ,H. Holland (Christchurch North), A. E. Anseli (Chalmers), W. Downie Stewart (Dunedin West) , ; and J. Hargest (Invercargill). The Speaker (Sir Charles Sta-

tham)., who represents Dunedin Central) also represents town interests. It is thuS obvious that the Government is dependent on urban members for its majority, With the Speaker in the chair there is a House of 79 members. Of these the Labour Party cali count on Messrs Atmore and Tirikatene, with perhaps Messrs Rushworth and Wilkinson if the motion before the House is in accord with their pfinciples. That makes 28 members outsidp the Coalition, and it means that there must be at least twelve urban members within the party in agreement with the demands of the new movement before it can be effective. There are only twelve Coalitionists holding urban seats, and these include the Chairman of Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith), who has unfailingly supported the Government and one of the whips, Mr. J. A. Nash. Thus it would appear that the "cave" will have to gain the support of some of the rural members before they can confidently enforce their requests. The position is interesting. •