POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8869, 29 July 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Feom Odb Own Coeeespondent.) Wellington, July 28. REDUCING THB ESTIMATES. Negotiations have been going on all day between the Government and the socalled " skinflints" with the view of arriving at some modus operandi in regard to tho Estimates. As a party, however, the economists are immovable; but I understand that individual members are inclined to give way a little rather than place the Government in a serious difficulty. I hear that Messrs Buumlcru »oa Goldie will listen to no proposals for limiting their freedom and discretion of action as to the Estimates. Mr Saunders does not desire to defeat or embarrass Ministers, but he is determined to do all in his power to cut down expenditure. Mr Goldie is indifferent as to the consequence to Ministers, and is resolved to press tho reductions whatever may be the consequences. Mr Barron is also looked on as an irreconcileable, and some regard Mr Monk ac another, though others doubt if he would push matters so far as to defeat the Government. On the other hand, the Ministerial whips count on the votes of Messrs Withy, T. Thompson, Harkness, and Lawry in case of extreme need. It is understood that Ministers aro somewhat divided in opinion as to the course to be adopted if the economists persist in forcing matters to an extremity. A majority of the Cabinet are said to favour showing a bold front, standing by their estimates and refusing to submit to more reductions on votes; but I hear that Sir H. Atkinson holds a different view. He considers that Ministers are warranted in throwing on the House the responsibility of all the consequences that may rosult from the reckless cutting down of votes, and that they are not called upon to stake their existence on such a question. The Cabinet sat for some long time to-day and again this evening considering the situation, and a conference was arranged for to-night between the Hon. Mr Mitchelson (representing the Government; and Messrs Monk, T. Thompson, and R. Thompson) representiog the economists). A lengthened interview took place and has just terminated. The Estimates were carefully gone through, and the two parties to the conference are to report tci-morrow to their respective " principals," and meetings will be held to-morrow morning of the Cabinet and 'economists to decide definitely on the respective lines of action. It is generally bulieved that a compromise will ba arrived at, and that a sufficient number of votes will be given to Ministers to secure a small majority for their estimates. THE FLAX INDUSTRY. The Flax, Dairy, and Wine Industries Committee met, this evening and examined Mr John Holmes, of Holmes and Bell (Blenheim and London) on the question of the flax trade generally, on the expediency of granting a bonus for suitable flax-dressing machinery, and on the advisability of a system of inspection. He was strongly of opinion that there should be a Bystem of inspection and classification of flax for the four principal ports. CREATING A NEW CAPITAL. Mr Taylor intends moving, on going into Committee of Supply—"That the time has arrived when the Government shall, in the interests of the people and for the purpose of securing proper economy in the government of the colony, and for the due protection of his Excellency the Governor and his responsible Advisers, take the necessary step 3to obtain a permanent location for the legislative capital of the colony by purchasing say about 1500 acres of land on the Canterbury Plains for such a purpose, such land to be laid out as a township, and after the reserves have been made for Government, recreation, and other purposes, the balance of the land shall be sold in sections by public auction from time to time at the discretion of the Go"erDcicnt, provided that no sec- | lion shall be sold until after the Government has accepted !a contract for the erection of a Governor's residence and Parliamentary buildings; that all moneys obtained from the sale of such land shall be paid into a special fund to be called the Legislative capital removal fund; such fund to be used for the purpose of repaying temporary advances which may be made by the Colonial Treasurer for defraying the cost of the necessary departmental buildings and other works required to carry on the business of the country." THE PUHIPUHI FOREST. Negotiations are being carried on with the Government for the construction of the Puhipuhi tramway by a private company. It is said that if the Government are prepared to grant certain timber concessions and coalfield leases at nominal rents a syndicate would at once carry out the work. SIR ROBERT STOUT. Sir Robert Stout's name is still mentioned as likely to contest a North Island seat—both Napier and Wellington being included amongst the places he is likely to stand for. I understand that if Sir Robert Stout decides to contest Wellington City, either Mr Levin or Mr Charles Johnston will certainly be a candidate. Both these gentlemen have had seats in the House before, and either would stand an excellent chance of heading the poll in the amalgamated Wellington electorate. THE OPPOSITION. The rumour that certain prominent members of the Opposition inteuded stumping the country on the question of granting six instead ] of nine months' supplies to the Government is i now denied by many of tho gentlemen men- < tioned as likely to take part in the campaign, i The information came from a prominent mem- f ber of the party, and there is no doubt that it i has been seriously discussed among some, at i

least, of the Opposition members. Ciroum- " btaucea, however, may. new make it impossible to put the scheme in practice, as it is not at all likely that tho Government will allow pairs to Oppositionists anxious to do a little electioneering in the middle of the session. The idea originated, it seems, with Sir George Grey, who still adheres to his intention of addressing the Wellington electors if suitable arrangements can be made. As I have already mentioned, his address will probably be delivered next Saturday eveniug, -i ; THE SOUTHLAND FROZEN MEAT TRADE. A deputation of Southland members waited on the Railway Commissioners this morning, consisting of Messrs Ward, Cowan, Fold wick, and Hodgkinson. They had a long interview with the commissioners. Mr Waid read a series of resolutions passed by the directors of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, pointing out the unfairness to the Southland works of having the short distance rates so high in comparison with long distance rates. He instanced the fact that it cost as much, within a shilling or two, from Otautau to the Bluff, over a level line, to carry frozen mutton, as it did from Oamaru to Dunedin—double the distance. Ho urged the commissioners that in the interests of sheep growers in Southland, the short distance rates, both for live stock and dead stock, should be materially reduced so that sheep growers could have the full benefits of theirown works at the Bluff, also stated that the matter was one of the greatest importance to Southland. He went into details of the position of the frozen meat company in connection with heavy contracts for the supply of mutton that they had taken. Dr Hodgkinson supported the views of Mr Ward, and said in his opinion the Railway department had done serious injury to the frozen meat company in Southland by not giving them facilities for having a railway siding in the position they had asked for in the first instance; and he thought that, in justice to Southland, the commissioners Bhould reduce the rates. Mr Cowan asked the commissioners if the figures named in the resolutions of the directors of the company were correct. The commissioners replied ihat so far as they knew they were. Mr Cowan then urged that it was unfair that sheop could be carried over so heavy a grade as Oamaru to Dunedin at the same rates as in Southland for a much shorter distance. Mr Fold wick also spoke, and a number of details were discussed with the commissioners, and matters gone into at great length. Mr Maxwell said that the remarks of Dr Hodgkinson relative to railway sidings were somewhat inaccurate, also that the same objections that were urged against the request made at the time by the company were also given by the department against similar applications by other frozen meat companies which he named. He stated that if the rate of freight from Oamaru was to be taken as one of comparison it would be better for the commissioners in interests of revenue to abolish that rate altogether as it had been brought into existence purely for the purpose of enabling shipments from tho Oamaru works to be sent to Dunedin, and the rate was the lowest of the kind in the colony. He pointed out, however, that it was impossible to have rates for the carriage of sheep in ordinary circumstances in other parts of the colony on so low a rate as that. Mr M'Kerrow said there were great difficulties in the way of doing what was asked by the deputation. The commissioners had given the matter most careful consideration, and found that to do as was suggested would very seriously interlere with the business of the railways for the carriage of this article all over the colony. He promised, however, the commissioners would carefully consider the arrangements and the arguments of the deputation and the local circumstances, and while they held out no absolute promise of meeting the views of the Frozen Meat Company's directors, he would promise that the matter would be thoroughly gone into, and a reply sent to the deputation in the course of a day or BORROWING. A telegram has been received from luvercargill, addressed to Mr Feldwick and other Southern members, which says:—" By the Financial Statement we gather it will be necessary to continue borrowing and add to taxation. We therefore urge you to have the Estimates reduced as much as possible with safety to the public service in order to avoid the above contingency." This was signed by G. Nichol, H. Carswell, John Colbeek, Jaß. Harvey, M. Instone, John Dalgleish, Robert Tapper, A. Moir, N. Johnston, G. Tucker, W. Todd, W. H. Hall. OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS. A telegram has also been received by Mr Fish, from Dunedin, as follows :—" Congratulate House upon their success in effecting retrenchment. Hope they will persevere. The citizens are with you," This was signed by R. L. Stanford, W. Dawson, T. Cossens, A. Low, John Barron, C. F. Greenslade, W. Swan, J. E. M'Kelvey, J.Fargie, R. Clifford, Hordern, Brayshaw, and White, Haynes and Puddy, M. Sullivan, W. Bolt, John Fleming, H. Marsden, E. G. Allen, A. Moir, J. Mair, A. F. Wood. THE CIVIL SERVICE. A large meefciug of civil HBrvoafca was held on Saturday evening for the purpose of considering the present position and prospest of the civil service in view (1) of tha action now taken and threatened by a certain section of the House in Committee of Supply with regard to civil service salaries; (2) of the new Civil Service Bill introduced by the Government; (3) of the results of the combination formed by the officers of the Postal and Telegraphic department for mutual self-protection. The attendance was confined to members of the service other than heads of departments, but it was arranged that the names of those present should not ba allowed to transpire lest this should prejudice their interests at this early stage of the affair. Saturday night's meeting and proceedings were necessarily of only a preliminary character, but the situation was carefully considered and freely discussed. The civil servants recognised that the time had come to form a union or Civil Service Association. Attention was drawn to the fait that in the present movement for a reduction of salaries the Postal and Telegraphic departments were specially excepted from the general attack, and these departments had formed a union and consequently held a far stronger position than any other branch of the service. It wss agreed that the formation of a civil service association, which should comprehend all departments and ranks of the service was desirable; that a future meeting should be held for the further consideration of the steps to be taken; and that tha heads of j departments should be requested to give their I counsel as to the best course to be adopted. The proposed association would, of course, include the Postal and Telegraphic Departments' Uuion and also heads of departments. The promoters of the movement are naturally anxious to avoid undue personal prominence, lest they should be marked men, as were the telegraph operators who went on strike some years ago, and whose ringleaders were not only dismissed, but also proscribed in letters to other colonial Governments. I understand that the members of the service are very desirous that the present Civil Service Bill with some modifications, or one on similar lines, should be passed as soon as possible in order that the service may be placed on a solid and permanent footing, and may not be in perpetual dread of attack and interference. It will probably be one prominent object kept in view by the proposed association to promote the passage of such a bill, and I believe that that the senior members of the service warmly favour the bill as a whole, but would like to see it somewhat amended in committee. It was pointed out to me by one of them that the provision requiring the three next senior officers to be recommended by the service board foi any vacant appointment and for one to be selected, is partly supererogatory and partly objeotionable. It is supererogatory, because, if the three next senior officers " must" be recommended for selection there is no need for the board to act, as the process becomes automatic, and involves the mere selection by Ministers from the three officers next in seniority to the one retiring. The board's action would thus be a mere farce. Tho part held by an experienced head of a department to be objectionable is the provision that mere seniority irrespective of merit shall give a claim to inclusion in the trio for selection, because it obviously follows that in process of time all the good men will thus bo picked, leaving only the inferior ones to come up through mere length of their services. The heads of departments would prefer a process of selection by merit irrespective of mere Be.uiority, except that seniority should he taken into account in uasa of approximately equal merit. It is understood that if the proposed association be formed it will be allied to the Railway Servants' Union. I ', gather, further, that some of tho more experienced civil servants think the present time rather inopportune for a movement of the sort, inasmuch as Parliament is in session, and they regard the recess to be a more suitable time for action. As, however, such pronounced action is being taken duriug the present session with regard to the civil service by the Government in introducing their new bill and by the Opposition in cutting down the Estimates, they do not see bow some counter movement on the part of the civil servants can well be delayed.