BUDGET DEFICIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1934, Page 10

BUDGET DEFICIT.

REDUCTION NOT EXPECTED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. A statement that nothing occurred since his recent forecast to indicate that the Budget deficit wou'd be lower than his previous estimate of £700,000, was made by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, tonight. He thought the figure previously mentioned approximately correct, and he did not expect any reduction.

Asked whether he considered the financial position of the country justified the expectation of an increase in the salaries of public servants, Mr. Coates said he saw no immediate prospect of the restoration of any portion of the cuts. Until a few months had passed and he was able to see what the stato of the country's finances was likely to be, lie would not be able to make any recommendation to the Cabinet on the subject..

In reply to a further inquiry, the Minister said he did not know that the question had been raised as, to the necessity of legislation before the Arbitration Court could issue a general order restoring the 10 per cent cut in wages. In the circumstances he had no comment to make.