OPENING OF SESSION

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1935, Page 4

OPENING OF SESSION

WEEK’S DELAY POSSIBLE DRAFTING OF THE LEGISLATION. COMMISSION OF AGRICULTURE. SELECTION LIKELY NEXT WEEK. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A possibility that Parliament may resume later than February 13, the date at present indicated, was mentioned by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to-night. It was hoped, he said, to reopen the session on the due date but the preparation of important national legislation to be considered by the House might necessitate a postponement until February 20. Mr. Coates said good progress was being made in placing the national mort- . gage proposals into legislative form. However, there were certain difficulties in drafting, particularly in the later part of the proposed Bill and these might possibly result in a short delay. All proposals were receiving careful consideration before inclusion in the projected legislation as the matters affected were of national importance. “The appointment of three members of the Executive Commission of Agriculture and members of the reconstituted Dairy Board may be finalised next week,” Mr. Coates continued. “Cabinet will be meeting at Wellington early in the week and that is one of the questions likely to receive consideration. Providing no unexpected hitch occurs, these appointments should be announced during the week.” Mr. Coates said he was unable as yet to make any statement on the Budget outlook in the light of figures for the nine months ended December 31. He had received approximate figures only a few days ago, but they required further amplification before any definite pronouncement could be made. The returns of Customs revenue, he added, continued to show a rising tendency and the outlook., in this respe t was. quite favourable. Incoma tax payments next month would probably indicate whether the anticipated surplus for the year would be realised.