THE ESTIMATES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIV, Issue 139, 2 July 1888, Page 3

THE ESTIMATES.

The following is a summary of the debate which took place m the House on Friday night : —

The Premier moved to go into Oom-mittee-of-Supply to consider the Estimates. Government were anxious not to leave them to be rushed through m the last hours of the session. They had gone very carefully through the various sections of the civil eervice, and reduced all the salaries they considered overpaid. In some cases, especially post office, they had made small increases. The question of classification had been discussed, and he hoped to bring hi a bill dealing with it, but the subject was beset with difficulties, some of which he explained. Adverting to views held by certain memberH as to the possibility of further reductions, he was prepared to consider the propositions made on that head, but he believed Government bad already gone as far as the House would desire. As a specimen of, the sort of criticism to which Government .had been subjected, he quoted the report forwarded to the Governor and Ministry by the' Auckland Political Reform Association, which bustled ffith misstatements. They had named numbers of the Departments, the cost of which they estimated should be reduced to £726,000 per annum, while as a matter of fact tl*ey only cost £704,000.

Mr Monk moved as an amendment that legislation should be introduced dealing with (he legislative 'officers and Auditor-General's salaries, which he considered could be reduced with benefit to the country.

Mr Walker hoped that Government would not persevere m their intention. There were several measures which should be taken into consideration first. Another reason was that there were indications of the third reading of the Tariff Bill being mot by a. counter motion, and it would be as well to get that settled first.

Mr Moss felt assured that retrenchment alone would not get the country out of difficulties. It was the enormous amount of money that had to be sent out of the country which caused our embairassment.

The Hon Mr Hall complained that Mr Monk had given no facts m support of his amendment. He presumed that gentleman was the mouthpiece of C'smmitcee which had been privately consideiing the Estimates, and announced that they saw their way to a reduction of some £40,000 a year, but was it Likely that they knew mere ab ut the subject than Government, who had been g'iug carefully into the matter for moirha'? He ventured to say that the Civil Syr vies was worse paid than that of auy other colony. He agreed with Mr Moss that the enormous amount of'money sent out of the colony waa the cause of our financial difficulties, The ouly way m which a considerable saving;- could be effected was to dispense with the administritiveluxuries we enjoyed. Would they cut « ff the 'Frisco mail service, or some of our daily mails for instate- '?

Mr'Saddc-n moved the acljournmput of the debate. Before going on wiih the Estimates 'ihey ought to have a bill classifying the Civil Seivice, spoken of by the Premier.

The adjourment was agreed to by 43 to 34, and the'debate vas poßtponed till Tuesday. The Premier moved the adj urnment of the Hnuse.

Several members pretested. Mr Turnbull pointed out that they would be m exactly the same position as they were at present. He strongly objected to these surprises, and if the members of his side were going to act m that way without nonsuiting the party, they would very soon find his allegiance gone.

Dr Fitchettsaid he had toted against Government because he, like others, felt that it was not safe to proceed with the Estimates until the Tariff Bill was out of the wood. He hoped Government would take the hint.

Mr Seddon reminded the House that they had passed a resolution at the invitation of the Premier giving the Tariff Bill precedence of all other business.

Mr Reeves, member for Sb. Albany said that for his part he had voted against Governraont because he felt that the House ought to transact what business it liked, and not be driven. Moreover, like other members, he had not enough time to consider the Estimates. He wished to be frank, and if the Premier wanted support from that side of the House, ho would have to pay a price for it.

Mr Bruce said that, although he voted for the adjournment, he would say, now that the tariff question was settled, he, for one, did not wish to see the Government leave the benches.

The Premier said the division showed that there was a large number of members who had supported the Tariff Bill who now doubted his word. The turn affairs had taken had certainly altered his (the Premier's) position. Government had a right to say what business should be transacted on Government days, and no other members should dictate to them. He would now f)lace the Estimates on the order paper for Tuesday, and insist on their being gone on with. Then ho would see whethei ths economists were to have their own way, and of course if it were so, Groyernnront would, gonsider the position.