BUDGET NOT VET READY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 16 August 1934, Page 4

BUDGET NOT VET READY

Possibility of Concessions to Taxpayers WAGE RESTORATION HINTED CAUCUS DISCUSSIONS Tlie final form of the Budget, which is to be presented to the House of Bepresentatives early next week, _ has not yet been out the Minister of Finance, Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates, is optimistic regarding the possibility of making some concession to taxpayers. In making any adjustments, the Minister will have before him the suggestions and views of Coalition members, advanced at a caucus h'eld on Tuesday afternoon and at another last evening.

It has been suggested in some quarters that the Government had made definite proposals for a small reduction in • unemployment taxation, or, alternatively, the restoration of at least part, of the" cuts to lower paid civil serv'-’ant's, but if is understoodjthat the Government’s intentions were not ■ disclosed at-either of the meetings.. The caucuses were called merely to enable the Ministry to hear any suggestions the rank and file of the party might have to offer in relation to the Budget, the Customs Amendment Bill, and Government policy generally. Mr Coates has not yet considered the final form of the Financial Statement, as he has been busy with the preparation of the Customs Bill. He spent most of yesterday morning, afternoon and. evening in conference with officials of the Customs Department, _and he hopes to be in a position to introduce the Bill and present the accompanying schedules early in the coming week. The Budget will probably be finalised during the next few days. It is understood that no discussion of the recent rumours that the. Coalition was approaching the parting of the ways took place at the Government caucuses, nor was any consideration (riven to the proposals of the New Zealand Legion that a national unity council should be established.