MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 27

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8.

There is a good deal of speculation regarding the probability of Mr Ward again joining the Ministry with the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer. He is expected to arrive in Welliugton during tho present week. There appears to be considerable diversity of opinion among the supporters of the^ Government respecting the advisability of his rejoining the Cabinet, but as both Mr Ssddon and Mr M'Kenzie aro in favour of the step and as Mr Ward himself is said te be exceedingly anxious to be restored to his Ministerial status the, chances are that those members of the party who — ia private conversation at all events — profess to be strongly opposed to 'his return to office will be found acquiescing in the Premier's decision to politically rehabilitate hia former colleague. The matter will probably be discussed at the Ministerial caucus to-morrow. Many prominent members of the House with whom I have talked on this subject unhesitatingly declare that Mr Ward's return to the Cabinet would prove a damaging blow to the Ministry.

. THE PREMIER'S EXPENSES.

There is likely to be an animated discussion to-morrow over the Premier's expenses in connection with his trip Home. They amount to £1750, but as Mr Seddon has refused to give any particulars of this expenditure it is impossible to say how this sum is made_ np. It is probable that, while sharply criticising the item, the Opposition will not vote againßt it.

THE POLICE COMMISSION. - When the Police E-jtimates come up tomorrow evening the members of the Left party, who, although fe.w in number*, possess considerable talking power, intend to strenuously oppose every item unless the Government consent to disclose the names of the gentlemen they proDOse to appoint members of the Royal commission to inquire into the administration of the police force.

GOVERNMENT CAUCUSES.

Government caucuses are becoming somewhat frequent this session, the reason no doubt being that the Premier recognises that with his diminishing majority he must tread more warily than in times gone by. Another c&ucus of the natty is convened for to-morrow, but do one

seem<) to know exactly what for. This will bff the first occasion on which the Left Wing will be absent from a Government caucus. Political prophets say that the Horowhenna Bill will be considered. Mr Seddon will also, no doubt, wish to coach his followers up in regard to the tactics to be pursued when the Estimates again come on for consideration. Possibly also the Premier will put out a feelor as to whether Mr Ward should return to the Ministry, while the personnel of the cimunfctee to be set up in connection with the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill may afford further material for discussion. Mr R»lleston is desirous of placing Mr Piraai on tha committee instead of Mr Wi Pere, who is one ot the m>ab obedient followers of the present Government ; while Mr Pirani will move that Mr J. W. Kelly be pat on the committee in place of Mr R. M'Keczie,

THE ESTIMATES.

The-Houae will go into Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates to-morrow. Both the Opposition and Left Wing intend to make a determined stand in regard to several items and their right to certain information that Mr Seddon has hitherto always refused to give the House. Thore is a good deal #f comment on the alterations made ia Hansard in the Premier's .speech in reply on the iioancial debute. Tbe Premier evidently recognised that his reference to " the Great Father and His Son " was in bad *- taste, and he has practically eliminated it from the speech. THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.

The Premier has given n«rtice to add $he name of the Hon. J. G. War* fc« the Fublio Accounts Comroitlee, in substitution for on« of the Govarnmant sapportecs previously proposed.

GOLDFIELDS EXPENDITURE}.

The total gold fields expenditure for three years may bo nummarised thus —7 1895. 18ftS. 1897. Authorised cost ... £17,150 £35,782 £102,915 Expenditure on works 15,278. 31,92r 44,771 Liability at cad of /-*>**" year • 16,314 33,642 69,615 The particulars of where it went to under the head of prospecting for the last three years are interesting. In 1895 Westland got £33,721 out of £78,488 of the total expenditure in th« colony. In 189S Westlaud <joi £23,932 out of £61,946. and in 1897 £42,691 out of £80,477. Thus the percentageo for WesUand for the piisfc three years are respectively 46*5, 38 6, and 53 per cent, of the whole. It was no mere figure of speech, therefore, when Mr Scobie 1 Mackenzie recently stated tbat Mr Seddon used to return to his constituency groaning under ths weight of the plunder he received during the cession on their behalf. Sab«idi«B for roxds and bridges, too, seem to have gone' largely to the West Coast, and Mr Seddon's electorate in particular, while subsidies for prospecting ar« also largely spout in that district.