NO FRESH TAXES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 10

NO FRESH TAXES

PRIME MINISTER'S HOPE UNEMPLOYMENT FINANCES PROSPECT OF LOWER LEVY CONSIDERATION NEXT YEAR t'w'o prospects likely to cheer taxpayers trere discussed hopefully by the Prime Minister, the Rt, Hon. 0. W. Forbes, ■when interviewed on his arrival in Auckland yesterday. Mr. Forbes indicated that there was a possibility Of unemployment taxation being reduced next year, and he expressed the belief that there would be no necessity to increase general taxes during the coining session of Parliament. "As far as I can judge there will be no need for further taxation this year, said Mr. Forbes. "Of course, we are not certain/what changes in the tariff may be necessary, as a result of the Ottawa agreements, but that question is in rather a different category from the levying of higher taxes to meet a deficit. " "I can give an assurance that the Unemployment Fund is being administered very carefully. While the maximum relief is being given from the fund, every endeavour is being made to carry on that Wk without additional* impost on the taxpayer." Further Economies

Asked whether there "was a possibility that the tax of a shilling in the pound might be reduced shortly, Mr. Forbes replied:—"Well, the additional work usually available in the summer should lighten the burden on the fund, and we may be able to review the charge after that, Tliere is nothing we are more anxious to do than to relieve the taxpayer of a charge which, we recognise, is a heavy one, and the sooner it can bo reduced the better it will be for the country." Discussing the general financial situation," Mr. Forbes said: —"I am glad to say that everything seems to bo moving along very smoothly. The estimates of revenue are being maintained, and 1 have no anxiety about any sudden change in the position occurring. Then, again, we have been able to make substantial savings in expenditure, and a good many of the recommendations made in the second report by the Economy Commission are being put into operation. That report will be tabled immediately Parliament meets later this month, and the -Estimates, which will appear later, will reflect the economies to be effected. "It is difficult to predict how long the session wiU last," said Mr. Forbes. ''The programme we have immediately in iront of us comprises consideration by the House of the Economy Commission's report, discussion of the Estimates, which is a fairly lengthy task in a normal session, and legislation to give effect to the decisions made at Ottawa. I see no reason why the Address-in-Reply debate should delay us long at the beginning of the session.

Mr. Stewart's London Visit ."Apart from the text of the resolutions I have not yet heard what were th* remits of the discussions at Ottawa on banking and currency questions. They may involve legislation. Then, the arrangements in connection with reciprocal trade will require a revision of the liariff schedules. "However, on those point:; we will have ~ fuller information when Mr. Coatea returns on September 19. I notice that the Auckland Chamber of Commerce is asking for a statement on tariff adjustments, but that, of course, cannot be given tin til we have full details of the Ottawa decisions. > "There is no definite information yet regarding the length of Mr. Downie Stewart's stay in London. However, the Secretary "of the Treasury, Mr. A. D. Park, proposes to leave London at the end of this month and to be .back in New Zealand by the end of October, so it is possible Mr. Stewart will also return then. At this juncture, when finances generally are in a difficult position, the presence of Mr Stewart in London will be most helpful." '

CITY EXTENDS WELCOME THREE MINISTERS ARRIVE INVESTIGATION OF INDUSTRY ,«gad yoa come about four months ago We c&ufd have arranged a more vociferous welcome, but one no more sincere than the one we now extend," said the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, in a brief address ot •welcome to the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, on the latter s arrival from "Wellington yesterday. The Prime Minister returned thanks tor **a vety friendly welcome" in the f,ame light vein. "As you say, there might have been a greater volume of noise had I come a few months ago," he said, but I ie* member that I received a very warm wel- . come in Auckland during the election campaign." (Laughter.) Mr. Forbes said he had been tied very close to his office recently. He felt it to be, his duty befoie the session, however, to visit the principal ' centres to take the opportunity of discussing with business people and Others some B- of their problems. . The Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Ldn- ' cation and Industries and Commerce who accompanied Mr. Forbes, said his visit was "connected with matters affecting both his portfolios. He was particularly interested ' in the question of developing secondary industries, and proposed to visit a number Of works and factories in Auckland with * view to acquiring a personal knowledge of their operations 'intl requirements. _ Members of Parliament and prominent Supporters of both parties to the Coalition joined in the welcome to the Ministers at the Station. Sir Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, also arrived m Airland veMerday and conducted his Ministerial colleagues on a visit of inspection of native land development work in the WaiUku district later in the day Before living for the countrv Mr. Forbes and Mr. Masters visited the cool stores of the Auckland; Farmers' Freezing Company, feeing accompanied on the inspection !>v ' Mr J E MakeiH, chairman, and other directors. The Ministerial party, which includes Mrs. Forbes and Mrs. Masters, is at the o<rand Hotel. . Both Ministers will receive deputation > this morning. Mr. Forbes will be in attendance at the Ministerial room at the chief post office at 10 a.m. The deputations include representations from the Newmarket and Onehunga Borough CounC Mr.-Masters will visit, the Parnell School this morriintr and will confer with the School Committee there. He will then visit the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, later deceiving deputations at the Grand Hotel. Among his engagements on Monday will be a conference with the Education Board In the morning. The Ministers will visit various works and factories on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday, and will leave for Wellington on Tuesday evening.