POSITION OF BUDGET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 202, 27 August 1931, Page 9

POSITION OF BUDGET.

RECASTING NOT DISCUSSED

STATEMENT BY MR. FORBES

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLEN'GTON, this day. It was mentioned to the Prime Minister last night by a "Star" representative that a statement had been published indicating the disappointment of Reform, members of the committee at the alleged effort to justify the Budget and proposed taxation, and that it had also been suggested that Reform members were concerned because Mr. Forbes was not inclined to accept any recast ag of the existing Budget.

"There is no ground for these suggestions." replied * Mr. Forbes. ''The heads of Departments have been, called before the committee, as they were called before members of the Government, to justify their estimates. The question of recasting the Budget has not been raised. It could not arise at this stage of the investigation, which has not proceeded sufficiently far to show whether there is a necessity to recast the Budget proposals." Customs Revenue Prospects.

There appears to be some difference of opinion as to whether importers will renew their stocks later in the year, and so increase the imports. Replving to an inquiry to-day regarding the prospect of realising the estimated Customs revenue, Mr. Forbes said that althouga there, had been a drop in the first three months' figures there vas n reason to fear that the falling off would continue. As stocks must be getting low, it was considered that an increase in imports would follow at an early date.

It is learned that the Reform members of the committee disagree with Mr. Forbo-s on this point, their opinion being that importers are not able to afford tie replenishing of their stocks under existing circumstances.