RETRENCHMENT PROPOSALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9103, 11 July 1888, Page 5

RETRENCHMENT PROPOSALS.

MR. WITHY'S RESOLUTION.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. [BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

, Wellington, Tuesday. It was anticipated that Supply would have come on to-day, but the Government have not yet made up their minds as to what course to take on this matter, and the amended Land Bill and other measures were brought in to gain time. I understand that the series of statistics they have had prepared, showing how certain reductions in the scale of wages would total up, and the amount saved in each department, will not be laid upon the table of the House, such a course not being deemed advisable, but the figures will be used during the debate in Ministerial speeches. The Government regard it as highly important that the resolution should not be defeated, as the result would be regarded as an expression of opinion on the part of the House that it was opposed to further retrenchment, and would in that respect completely tie up the hands of the Cabinet in the recess. What the Government desire is, that it should pass in the nature of an instruction by the House, which they would do their best to comply with before meeting the Legislature next session.' It is regarded as quite hopeless to save £100,000 on wages alone, in face of the large reductions already made, and that if it is to be done, the people must also consent to share the burden by giving up some of their luxuries. Mail services alone, it is said, amount to £100,000. Nearly 140 men have been already discharged from the Railway Department, and the reduction in the working expenditure, without reducing wages, will be for the whole colony £30,000, and in Auckland alone £3000 ; in fact, with the reduction in process and contemplated, without reducing wages at all, the saving in railway working expenditure this year will be the largest ever known in the history of the colony. Both the Government and the retrenchment party think the amendments now tabled as under will clear the way greatly. They are contingent upon Mr. .Withy's amendment becoming the substantive resolution. Mr. Hutchison wishes the addition of the vrords, "provided that the reductions shall not affect any salaries or wages which, calculated by the year, do not exceed £120." Mr. O'Conor wants the addition of the following words, " provided that in no case shall the wages be reduced below the current rate ruling in the district. Mr. Beetham, as the result of a Freetraders' caucus, desires that the words " if possible" be struck out, and the following words be added, " the responsibility for the direction in which the retrenchment should go to rest entirely with the Government." The retrenchment party are having a lively time of it, and the retrenchment resolution has led to more "mule" exhorting in Wellington during the past week than has been heard here for a twelve month. Mr. Withy has received a missive decorated with skull and crossbones. Later. It is stated that late to-night an improvised Cabinet meeting wns held, when the Government determined to oppose Mr. Withy's resolutions as being too specific and tying their hands up to a given course, but that they were still Milling to make retrenchment as far as possible during the recess, according to their own discretion and judgment. I give the rumour for what it is worth. Several of the leading members of the retrenchment party give the rumour a flat denial, and state that in courtesy the Premier would have communicated such a decision to them. Meanwhile I learn that the Government intend to go on with the Native Policy Bills to-morrow, so as to gain time for further consideration, and extended negotiations in the retrenchment business.