THE PRINCIPLE AT STAKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 2

THE PRINCIPLE AT STAKE.

In the course of a short interview' with Captain Eussell as to the objects for which he and his side are fighting, he pointed out that they weie contending for the rights of the representatives of tho people for the fullest ■ information as to the manner in which the money was to be spent before granting supply. . They wanted Mr Seddon to promise to give them certain returns asked for,.without which it was impossible for them to have . ai> intelligent grasp of the financial position of the colony, l'liey also were determined to have an explanation of the large sum set down for contingencies. The Opposition were not asking for anything unreasonable when they demanded that the Public Works Estimate:: should be brought down before the general Estimates were finished. Ho and his friends objected to tho Premier's method of keeping - back the Public Works. Estimates until late in the session, for tho purpose of coercing members to support him, for fear lest their districts should suffer in regard to public expenditure. What the Opposition asked for in this matter .had bee"a granted in past years. Mr G. J. Smith, speaking oubeha'lf of the Left Wing, said, he and. his party were also fighting for information. For biftance, last year over £US,OOi) was asked for contingencies, and this year the sum was £135,000; and the Premier had so far absolute-y declined to give any information as to how the first-mentioned, amount was expended, although the year ended--6n March 31 Vast, and the account* must have been prepared for the Audit Office. "They wanted the Public Works Estimates arid the. Loan Bill,1 so that' before passing the .Loan Bill they should know how the amouir. involved was to be 'expended, otherwise, a.s occurred on a previous occasion, after passing tho Loan Bill they would have no power to alter,the allocation of tho money. If, said Mr Smith, tho Government persist in declining -to giva information, the only course open for mem-, bers will be to refuse to pass another Imprest Supply Bill, and with the Premier must rest tho blame for the colony making default in the payment of wages and salaries.