31.   The Cabinet proposed the compromise Thursday in hopes of heading off a disagreement that threatened to delay passage of the budget.

32.   The government had pushed for adoption by the end of January, and warned of dire consequences if the passage was delayed.

33.   The ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to try to pass the bill in the current session of Parliament, but opposition by leftist parties could delay its passage.

34.   The Senate approved that plan, but House hostility to another round of base closings delayed passage by a month.

35.   They delayed passage of several lending deals with the World Bank, and bank officials indicated they might cut cooperation with Ukraine.

36.   Without the agreement all New Zealand exports to the European Union would be subject to inspection which could delay their passage through European ports.

37.   Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiroku Kajiyama voiced concern at a media conference about possible negative effects of delaying passage of the budget.

38.   Japanese authorities on Wednesday raided five failed housing loan companies in their first swoop on the industry which has paralysed parliament and delayed the passage of the national budget.