PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1944, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

BUDGET ON THURSDAY An announcement that the Budget ' would be introduced on Thursday of next week was made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) before the House of Representatives adjourned yesterday afternoon until this afternoon as a V mark of respect to deceased legislators. The House met at 2.30 p.m. after an adjournment from April 4 and lost' no time in getting down to business. After the Minister of Finance (Mr. Nash) had been sivorn in as a.member of the new Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), on be- f half of all members, expressed, pleasure at the return to the Dominion of the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), Mr. Nash, and the Minister of Marine (Mr. O'Brien), who has been visiting Australia. He said that members looked forward lo hearing an account of their missions abroad. The Prime Minister thanked Mr. Holland and said that he Avould be making a report to the House on the 1 Prime Ministers' Conference and related matters and also his visit to NeAV Zealand personnel overseas. Before the House rose Mr. Holland asked if the Prime Minister could give any indication of the business of this part of the session or giA'e members information on the sitting hours necessary to cope Avith transport difficulties. Mr. Fraser said that the question of the most suitable hours Avould be dis- , cussed. As far as the business of the House was concerned, the Finance Bill Avould be taken today, and possibly an Imprest Supply Bill on Friday. On Tuesday or Wednesday of next Aveek he would report on his overseas visit, and on the Thursday it Avas the intention to introduce the Financial Statement. There would then be the Budget debate and consideration of departmental estimates, Avhich Avould occupy a considerable part of the present section of the session. Business taken yesterday comprised .' questions, petitions, the introduction of a Finance Bill, containing 20 miscellaneous clauses, and tributes to the late Hon. James McLeod. M.L.C., the Hon. Arthur Cook, M.L.C., and Mr. J. A. .* Macpherson, a former member for v Mount Ida and Oamaru.