BUSY WEEK AHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 11

BUSY WEEK AHEAD

PARLIAMENT FACES WORK £()ME BUDGET SPECULATIONS MORE OPTIMISTIC VIEW OVERHAUL OF THE TARIFF [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] ! WELLINGTON. Sunday After seven weeks of dalliance, Parliament will be faced'next week with work of real importance—the reception of the Budget and the final revision of the customs schedules. Between them, these two questions are likely to keep the House occupied for several weeks. Some of the Budget and tariff problems were discussed with Government members in caucus during the week, end speculation has been sharpened regarding the nature of any concessions it may be possible to extend, [t is evident that the Cabinet as a whole is taking a more optimistic view of the general situation since obtaining the latest progress figures from the Treasury regarding tho current year's revenue. On the other hand, it Is possible that expenditure will have an expanding tendency this year in view of the Government's desire not to pursue a cheese-paring, policy to a dangerous extreme. Higher Defence Vote For instance, it is generally agreed that an increase in the defence vote will be necessary, while the possibility of the farming community requiring further assistance cannot be ignored. Nevertheless, the buoyancy of tho revenue, particularly from customs, has led to a suggestion that some reduction in the wage tax for unemployment, might be made and that some oi: the salary cuts might be restored to the Public Service. It is believed tliat members of tho Government party would quite naturally like to see both suggestions effected, but the question has arisen whether that might not mean that in neither instance could satisfactory redress be given. The point has also been argued as to which of the two proposals, if only one could be adopted, would be more advantageous to the community. As far as the Public Service is concerned, the viewpoint to which most prominence has been given is that the 5 per cent cut should be restored to the lower-paid section of the service, that is. those with salaries not exceeding £2OO or £250. However, there is a substantial section of opinion in the party which considers that such action would be invidious and that if any restoration is to be made it should apply throughout the service. Income Tax " Adjustments " As far as income tax is concerned, it is not thought that many vital changes will be made, although possibly there will be "adjustments," a word to which recent legislative actions have c;iven rather a sinister ring. The imminence of a Budget always gives rise to a welter of speculations, a'nd that annual phenomenon known in political circles as "kite flying" is now recurring. The man who knows most about the Budget proposals, Mr. Coates, is saying the least, or more correctly nothing at all. Naturally, if he has any pleasant surprises in store for the public, he wants to keep them for announcement on Budget night, which is expected to be Thursday. An incidental question on which tho Budget is expected to throw some light, in view of a statement made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, during the week, is the fate of the Government Superannuation Fund Bill, which has twice been before Parliament as a result of recommendations of the National Expenditure Adjustment Commission, but which has not been produced so far this session.

Changes in the Tarifl A matter of more immediate interest than the Budget is the Customs Amendment 13111, New duties, fixed mainly on the recommendation of the Tariff Commission, were made operative by resolutions passed through the House early in ,the session. However, ari interval is always allowed between the passing of the resolutions and the introduction of the bill to allow representations to be made by those affected by the, changes, and Mr. Coates was kept Husily engaged for three weeks hearing deputations on tariff subjects. Any further adjustments to be made —and there will certainly be somewill be revealed by the bill and amplified in a statement to be made by Sir. Coates on Tuesday night. Both the Budget and revised tariff schedules have been virtually passed by the Cabinet, and another meeting on "Monday is expected to result in final approval being given. With the Customs Bill, the Budget and the Estimates before the House, short shrift is expected to be given to a number of minor issues which have contributed to divert members in recent weeks. Generosity Overdone A hint has already been given that private members' opportunities to promote bills will shortly be restricted. Until now, however, the Government has been glad to extend facilities for such measures even to the point of overdoing its generosity in allowing leisurely second reading debates. This happened with the Invalid Pensions Bill, which it was not actually competent for a private member to carry so far, as it involved an appropriation of State revenue.

Looming cn the horizon now are reports of the Native .Affairs and Dairying Commissions. It is expected that the House will shortly be asked to sit until midnight and to work at a faster rate to enable really important business to be taken within the next two months. The long-delayed report of the Monetary Committee has been presented to the Prime Minister. The report is expected to be tabled within the next week or two and will probably provoke a long debate, but it is _ doubtful whether it will inspire legislative action on the p.'irt of the Government.