MORE TAXATION?

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 252, 16 June 1932, Page 5

MORE TAXATION?

(Post Special Commissioner)

ANOTHER SESSION RUMOURS OF BIG SHORTAGE IN UNEMPLOYMENT FUNDS SUMMONING OF PARLIAMENT

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Indications that Parliament may be called together again before the time intended when the emer- [ gency session concluded were given ; to-day by the Prime Minister, the j Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. The main working session of Parliament usu- | ally commehces at the end of June, i but the recent session made it unnecessary for a resumption at the ordinary time this year. A postponement also suited the Government's convenience in view of the absence from the Dominion of the I ministerial delegates to the Ottawa , Conference and in the case of delay ! in proceedings at the Conference, sup-'i ply had been taken until October next. Since the session ended, however, one aspect of the financial position has ' changed colour and it was being rumoured in Wellington to-day that Parliament was to be called together again at the end of next mouth to consider new proposals. This suggestion probably arose from the possibility now becoming more and more apparent that further revenue may have to be made available to the Unemployment Board to enable it to meet the demands being made on it. According to a recent statement j by fhe Mayor of Christchurch j (Mr. D. Sullivan, M.P.) he has j been ofricially advised that at ihe present rate of expendituria, the unemployment funds will he short by £900,000 at the end of the year. It is problematical whether the present rate of expenditure will be maintained as the demand is expected to taper off as families are settkd under the small farm plan and as seasonal industries re-open in the spring, but signs are not wanting that the Gov-' | ernment is anxious about the amount of money available in the fund. Interviewed to-day, the Pririie Minister denied that it is intended to call Parliament together as early as the end of July, but said that the reductiori in the size of the delegation for Ottawa made it possible that Parliament might be summoned some weeks earlier than originally intended, if the need should arise. Suggestions are current that con- i sideration is being given to augu- i menting of the unemployment moneys j from the Consolidated Fund or by i means of an internal loan, but Mr j Forbes gave a negative reply when ! questioned on this point. He expressed ; the hope that the fund would be suifi- ! cient to meet demands for relief.