The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1931. THE BUDGET DEBATE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1931. THE BUDGET DEBATE.

Tub debate in the House last week did not. carry Parliament very far in its probable decision in the Budget, The discussion as far as it went, indicated that the Labour party is strongly opposed to the new duties and taxation, and would take special pleas, are in turning out the Government at the first opportunity. This action would not get the country very rar. Indeed it would be something akin to the actions of Labour in New South Wales. It would leave, the political confusion worse confounded. However, Reform through its principal speakers did not offer much hope for Labour achieving its object immediately. Mr Coate s praised rather than condemned the Budget. It was at least good in parts. He agreed that.<Mr Forbes was right in attempting to balance the Budget, and indicated a desire to help to that end. Mr Coates was critical of some of the taxation, particularly in regard to income tax direction. In general Mr Coates was on rather thin ice when attempting to criticise the Budget because as Leader of the Opposition it was his boumden duty to traverse the document. But that duty was not attempted in any critical detail, and he had the spectacle of the Minister of the Crown who followed Air Cbates, thanking him for the mild criticism offered, and for the preferred help to pass the Budget, Mr Coates • even when pressed by one of his own followers, avoided! a direct answer oil the subject of fusion. The reason perhaps is that his party is not unanimous oil the subject, and to accept an offer from Mr Forbes, would create, a serious breach in the Reform party, Air Downie Stewart, however, had no qualms about fusion, and his speech was a strong advocacy for a national alliance. He ~a t once, and for the views clearly expressed, was infavour of union of forces to grapple with the financial position. Air Stewart’s speecli was one of the strongestyet made on the subject, for he looked further than the present. He pointed out that while Air Forlies was balancing the Budget for this year, he was doing -eo in such a- way that the task next year would be- very difficult. Reserves were being eaten up this year to save the taxpayer, but if the depression continued the reserves would- be increasing next year, and more money would require to Ke raised by taxation. That is a very likely situation. and the suggestion is sound that the fullest effort should be made now to re organise the national finance -and so avoid an over burdening of taxation. There are complaints now that the new taxation will be burdensome and not achieve the- results expected. How much more would this be the case, if Air Forbes were not utilising reserve credits as a means to reduce the new taxation. The debate brought out some of the differences in the Reform ranks, and from the remarks of Air Ansell and Mr Harris, typical of the diehard Reformers, there will be some support for Labour when the details of the taxation are uln-der decision. It is ..probable that the debate will continue for the week, which is valuable time lost. The general principles have been expressed by the. speakers, and it would he well now if the House went to serious business and discussed the Budget on it merits, as a'means of maintaining the credit of New Zealand here and abroad. That is the broad issue of the statement, as the Prime Alinister. has made plain, and the House might well express its views on the proposals put forward.