BUDGET PROSPECTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22202, 31 August 1935, Page 14

BUDGET PROSPECTS

lIOrES OF CONCESSIONS TAX REDUCTION REQUESTS MINISTER HARD AT WORK CIVIL SERVANTS' POSITION [by TEL ECU A I'll —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON', Friday There is a possibility that the Budget may appear in the House of Representatives within thrco weeks. Tho Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, is spending all his available time in conference with Treasury officials and officers of other departments, and ho and members of tho Cabinet are thought to bo anxious to place their general financial proposals before tho country at tho earliest possible moment. Requests aro heing mado almost daily for reductions in income tax, company tax and sales tax, and for increased expenditure in various directions, but, as was pointed out by tho Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, this week all claims cannot bo met and at the same time the Budget balanced. Individual members of tho Government Party aro naturally hopeful that there will bo concessions in tho Budget, but their general opinion appears to bo that tho matter is in capable hands and that Mr. Coates should not bo urged to undertake anything that might savour of reckless finance. * Much has been said of a further restoration or partial restoration of salary cuts to civil servants and of a reduction in the rate of tho wages tax, but it will bo some time yet before any details aro completed. However, statements by the leaders of tho Government mako it appear practically certain that a "cheerful Budget" will be presented to tire House and to the country.