POLITICAL RUMOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9096, 3 July 1888, Page 5

POLITICAL RUMOURS.

THE -RETRENCHMENT ROAR.

AUCKLAND MEMBERS AND THE

PREMIER.

MORE REDUCTIONS PROBABLE.

CUTTING DOWN THE ESTIMATES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. One phase of the present political situation arises from the conduct of the retrenchment party, as it was partly through them that the Government received the check on Friday night. Since that date informal communications have been going on between the Premier and some of tho Auckland members who have taken a prominent part in the retrenchment business. The Premier told the retrenchment deputation that he would consider their representations, and inform them; and they, on their part, expressed a desire to assist him if it was gone about effectively. The Premier, I understand, subsequently communicated with Mr. G oldie, the chairman of the Retrenchment Committee, concerning the proposed reductions in the Estimates, the outcome of which was that an informal deputation, consisting of Messrs Goldie, Monk, Hobbs, and Withy, waited upon the Premier this evening, that a clear understanding might bo arrived at before the Estimates came on to-morrow for consideration. From what I can learn, while the Premier was averse to dealing with the Statutory Officers and the Civil Service to any appreciable extent beyond the large reductions he had already effected, he was not indisposed to consider a resolution for a reduction which would deal with all Government employes from top to bottom, fixing them at their real worth, and bringing their salaries into uniformity with the rates of pay given in ordinary commercial life, and at present market values. That/would touch the wages class as well as all other classes of the Government service.

_ The Government are under the impression that, while the retrenchment party desire large reductions, they shrink from the odium and unpopularity of suggesting the only method by which the Government contend it can be effected— by dealing with all branches of the service. They contend that if it is to be done it should not be done by a sidewind, but openly and above board, with the sanction and authority of the' House, which would jointly share the responsibility. If the proposal outlined by the Premier were accepted by the Cabinet and by the House, I am informed that it would lead to a reduction of close on seventy thousand pounds in the Railway Department alone. There are 4600 men in this department, nearly 300 of whom have salaries over £150 a.year. The total reductions which could be effected on the same principle, without impairing the efficiency of the department, if carried throughout all ranks of the service, is estimated at a gross total of £100,000.

The Premier has had a cony of the Estimates forwarded to him with the suggested reductions, and the whole question I understand will be considered at a Cabinet meeting to-morrow forenoon. The air is full of all sorts of rumours. It is said that the Government will go on with the Estimates at half-past two to-morrow afternoon, being determined to try conclusions and test their strength. There is a great difference of opinion as to the outcome. On the one hand it is stated that the Government can count on a good majority for going into Supply; oil' the other hand, that the Opposition will oppose any material progress being made in the Estimates till the Tariff is disposed of. It is also rumoured that the Opposition may propose a lump sum reduction, so as to take the wind out of the sails of the retrenchment party, and angle for. their votes in consequence. They may be induced to do this from the fact that over half-a-dozen members of Friday night's retrenchment deputation voted against the Government, owing to personal dissatisfaction with his reply to their representations. Another statement is that some of the Opposition Protectionists will vote with the Government to-morrow, if it comes to a division, out of gratitude for the instalment of Protection accorded by the Premier, which might be imperilled by a change in administration at the present juncture. Some of the Freetraders are also expect/ad to assist the Government, but from totally different motives. The Government have hopelessly lost Dr. Newman, and Messrs. Macarthur, Menteath, and Scobie Mackenzie, who may be regarded as irroconcilables.

Latest. I had a conversation to-night with Mr. Seddon, who is practically acting as leader of the Opposition. He informed me that he will, in all probability, move a hostile amendment if any attempt is made to force through the Estimates. All would depend on the action and attitude of the Premier ; but, in all likelihood, it would, take the form of a motion to report progress in committee on the Estimates, with a view of complying with the order of the House regarding the Tariff Bill being one of urgency, and to take precedence of all other business.