Reduced need for early Budget

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32588, 23 April 1971, Page 1

Reduced need for early Budget

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 22.

The slightly improved outlook for several sectors of the farming community, has slightly lessened the need for an early Budget, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Carter) said today.

Mr Carter had been asked to comment on the Agricultural Council report released after its meeting yesterday.

The Minister, who is also chairman of the council, said he would still expect the Budget to be presented a little earlier than usual. He was basing his prediction of a slightly earlier Budget on the fact that it had been presented in the last two years at the end of June. Asked about division in the council on suggested action, Mr Carter said there had

been division for some years on the best way to approach future development. There

would always be different opinions on the best way to ensure the future of farming.

The report did not try to give a picture for the future but illustrated what had happened in the last 12 months. Based on this the council was

able to get a clear idea of what was likely to happen. On this it could make any recommendations to the Government. There would undoubtedly be discussions between himself as chairman of the council and Minister of Agriculture and other members of the Cabinet on what was necessary for the future of the farming community.