VICTORIAN POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11752, 2 December 1898, Page 5

VICTORIAN POLITICS.

A GOVERNMENT REVERSE.

THE VICTORIAN POLICE FORCE. United Press Association—By Electric T elegraph— Cop yr igh t. MELBOURNE, Dec. 1

In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Trcnwith moved a small iv Diction in the Chief Secretary's Estimates, with a view to affirming the necessity of raising the minimum pay of policemen. Tlic motion was carried. The Premier immediately moved the adjournment of the House,, in order to consult his colleagues as to the course to pursue. He said that if he could not control the House in matters of finance, and if apparent'Supporters disregarded him, he could no longer lead the House.

Ministerialists who supported Mr Trcnwith scout the idea of a change of Government. They voted for the increase because they thought the police were deserving of it, but they had no (intention’to embarrass the Government.

When the House resumed Sir C. Turner said that the Covctnrneiit had decided that owing to important events pending, including the early floating of a loan, it could not without the gravest reasons cause a crisis. He intended to bring the matter forward in such manner as to allow the Utilise to reverse its decision. The Government could not see its way clear to allow the increased expenditure.