POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIII, Issue 225, 25 October 1887, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(fbom odr own correspondent.) Wellington, Oct 24. The Post this evening confirms the rumor mentioned this morning to the effect that the Government are at their wits' end how to effect retrenchment on the scale anticipated ; and also that additional taxation will probably be proposed. Ths Post also thinks it likely there will be an early appeal to the English money lender. Another rumor in connection with the expected proposals of the Government is to the effect that the expenditure on defence and volunteers will be reduced by one half. In the course of a leading article the Post to-night urges the reduction of the volunteer expenditure, and the disbandmend of certain volunteer corps on the West Coast, and cavalry, as not likely to be of any assistance in case of a hostile attack. It urges non-interference, however, in the permanent force of the Colony. It is said that as the result" of the recent deliberations between the Cabinet and Mr Allan Scott, the N.Z. Representative of the Midland Railway Company, Government will take no definate action with regard to the complication in the contract without taking the sense of Parliament on the matter ; and it is &b---serted this may mean the reopening of the whole question bo far as letting further contracts is concerned. Petitions favorable to Bible reading in schools are being extensively circulated and signed here.