THE ESTIMATES

Lake County Press, Issue 981, 26 September 1901, Page 2

THE ESTIMATES

FULL INFORMATION DKMANDKD

\VELLINGTON. September 18

When the House met at half-past seven last evening it immediately went into Supply for the consideration of the Estimates, Major Steward taking the chair. The Legislative Department at once came under review, and it soon became evident that a. section of the members were thirsting for information where increases were proposed in the salaries of the higher-paid officials. It was equally plain that Min isters meant, to make a vigorous defence for the retention of the suggested increases. The battle began on the first item "second clerk assistant.” who was being raised by £25 to £s2s.—Mr Millar intimated that unless good and sufficient reasons were advanced he should oppose all (he increases proposed over £3OO.- -The Premier, who was in charge, said that the salary of Mr Lowe (who was an excellent officer) had been raised at the instance of Mr Speaker. —Mr Fisher moved that the salary of Mr EIV. Kane, reader and clerk of Rills, remain as at present, £l5O. He was set down this year at £175, and last session Mr Keddon hail complained of Mr Kane’s conduct in interviewing and lobbying members and asking for tin increase ii> Ins salary.—Mr Laureiisoii was of opinion that the sergeant at-arms was an excrescence. He moved Unit the item (£200) be reduced by £l. as an in dilation (hat the office should be abolished.

Mr M'Nab rciiKirked that the lion, mem her who had just spoken must he. plan uing out a course of rebellion in the Mouse, otherwise, he would not suggest- the abolition of this particular office. Mr Mil lar held that, in view of the financial posii ion of ibe colony, no person drawing £SOO in uver should gel ;in increase. He therefore moved that the lit in second clerk assistant i£325) la reduced by £25. Mr H. M'Kin/.i" objected to ,i few " skinflints" rilling I lie House. The Premier pointed out that Mr Lowe's predecessor was appointed in tin: office a! £350. -Mr Millar's timeiidunlit w.is rejected by -'lO to 12, and Mr Lam euson's proposal in dispense with the

|to 10. The amendment of Mr Fisher to reduce the salary of the reader ttas lost by -ID votes to 8. The item Hd.065 lor salaries was passed, as printed.

flic item "expenses, £8.675," led to a lengthy discussion mi the complete inadequacy ami unsuitability of the provision made for the reception ol friends ami constituents ol members. Mr Meredith complained (hat " many of the rooms are eou- ! laminated with reeking tobacco smoke," I whilst Ministers iu.xuiiale in splendidly-fur-nished looiii.--.- Mr (!. W. Bussell made n

determined attack on the action of the Govenmieiit m disregarding modern type selling machines in the priming of 'Hansard.' by which tile cost of hand-set matter was Is -ill per 1,000 eus, whilst the linotype ami monotype machines turned out equally good work at from to 6d. He urged that- provision should be made to cm plov as Government clerks and in other

capacities the men who would ho displaced by the introduction of machinery.—The Premier said that the introduction of laborsaving machinery could be best discussed in connection with the Government Printing Office, which came under the Colonial Secretary's Department.—lt was freely asserted (and the Premier agreed with the complaints) that there were more conveniences in the old library than in the present expensive building. Several members put in a plea for the second assistant librarian Mr Costall (£ls), and the Premier promised that- he should have a “rise" of £ls on the Supplementary Estimates. —The vote was then agreed to, and class 1 passed without amendment.

At 11.45 p.m. the Colonial Secretary's Department- was called on.—Mr Pirani, Mr Massey, and others wanted to know how Gr il was intended to proceed before adiourniug. saying that it would facilitate business if an assurance were given to adjourn about 1 a.in.—Sir J. G. Ward objected to state <it that time when the House would adjourn. If reasonable progress were made Ministers would not be unreasonable.—Mr Millar moved to reduce the salary of the Under-Secretary (£500) by £25, this being the amount of increase proposed.— The Colonial Secretary defended the vote, saying that Mr Pollen had been twentynine years in the service, and had responsible duties. —Mi Millar sought information as to how many of the juniors in the department received increases.—Sir Joseph replied that he could not- give the information. He would like to see all the departments classified.—Mr Pirani complained that heads of departments, being in touch with the Ministers, easily got increases, while the pay of subordinates wa» not advanced.—Mr Meredith entered his protest against the way that the business of the country was being transacted. There were only thirty members in their places, though he admitted that there were plenty of them in the lobbies prepared to come in when the division bell umg, and ready to vote as the Government whips told them, when hundreds of thousands of pounds had to be voted. He supported those who were adverse to raising ilie salaries of the higher-paid officials. He predicted that a time of retrenchment like that- of 1877 v ould conic to pass in a few years.—Several members objected to these late sittings, and urged that progress be reported.—Sir J. G. Ward asked that more progress be made. He pointed out that at the rate the Committee had progressed that evening it would take fifty-one nights to get through the whole of the Estimates. —Mr Seddon urged that (he Committee should show a better record of work for one evening, and promised the fullest information to members on everv vote.-

Finally a motion to report progress, proposed by Mr Collins when the vote for .Ministers' private secretaries was disposed of. wits carried by 25 to 23, and the House rose at 2.15 a.m.