THE BUDGET DEBATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 695, 22 November 1933, Page 5

THE BUDGET DEBATE

(Press Assn.-

LONG DISCUSSION ENDS WITH MINISTER'S REPLY

A BALANCE EVENTUALLY

-By Telegraph — Copyrlght).

Wellington, Tuesday. Replying on tbe Budget debate in the House of Representatives tonight, the Minister of Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, said that some had considered that the statement was too pessimistic while others had said that it was too optimistic. He thought that he was justified in saying as Mnister of Finance and as a representative of the Government that he had struck' the line that was correct and represented the facts of the position. Touching on the Superannuation Fund he said that a very important conference of all the interested parties would be held on Thursday. He thought that it was fairest that it should be dealt witb tbat way because those concerned would have an opportunity of fully expressing their views. Mr. P. Fraser : Do you anticipate tbat you will reach a complete agreement on Thursday? Mr. Coates: I would not go so far as to say tbat. Replying to tbe Hon. Downie Stewart, Mr. Coates said that Mr. Stewart had made his .own position clear last January and might have been expected to allow the Government to carry its policy to completion, but had merely repeated his protest. He agreed that it would eventually be essential to balance the budget. The House rose at 12.10 on the completion of the debate.