LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XV, Issue 661, 27 September 1871, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[Per Greville's Telegram Company, Bepteb's Agents] THB GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Wellington, Saturday, 4 p.m. The debate on Mr Creighton's motion was continued yesterday evening. Mr Gillies protested against tlie question being made a Ministerial one. JMr Hall said that a general examination of the Estimates showed a considerable saving, but not much retrenchment. -No Government could receive such a motion but as a vote of want of confidence ; and though he was no supporter of thc Government, he would unhesitatingly vote against the motion. JMr Rolleston objected to any cry between North and South being raised. The South was perfectly willing to contribute a fair amount to maintain peace m the North, and there was no reason to regret the arrangement made last year, or to dJJesire to alter it. He did uot liko the form of the motion, or the remarks accompanying it, but on broad grounds he would support it, as forming a distinction between parties on the only -true basis, viz., that of prudent finance as against speculative borrowing. He would set his faoe against any expenditure beyond their means. There were sufficient facts before the House to make it pause before committing itself to a policy tliat would end m serious financial disaster. The permanent charges for' interest -now amounted to half-a-nullion, out of a revenue of £900,000. The Governor's speoch left it to the House to bring the expenditure of the Colony within its means ; but no one would believe that that end would be attained by the Treasurer's policy. Throughout the session he would steadily vote m favor of retrenchment. Mr Bathgate would support every motion with retrenchment for its objoct. He thought no subordinate official's salary should exceed £500. A large . saving was possible on the Defence Estimates. A standing army was unconstitutional, and the settlers should tako arms iv their own hands and defend themselves. He was sure the Maori members would tako a contract to preserve the peace for very much less thau £200,000 a year. His constituents folt their present burdens intolerable, and had no sympathy with Mr ltolleston's professions of willingness to spend a million on Defence at the rate of £200,000 a year. The proposed policy would leave Otago without a penny from the colony. It was true she got half the stamp duties and a subsidy to Road Boards, but this was' no ; bOon. Otago paid one-third of the total revenue of the colony from stamps, and of the interest on loans. He urged the Government to agree to the motion. Messrs Haughton, Brown (Canterbury), Reynolds, Brandon, G. M'Lean, Richardson, Maeandrew, JReevesj and Eyes opposed the motion. Messrs Calder and T. JL. Shepherd advocated retrenchment, but expressed regret that the question luui been raised m suoh a shape. Mr Wakefield supported the motion. Mr Fox replied, and the House then divided, when the motion was lost by 42 votes to 15. The following is the division list : — Ayes: Messrs' Rolleston, Gillies, Stafford, Bathgate, Reid, Wood, Cantrel, R. Richardson, Ingles, Bradshaw, Wakefield, J. 0. Brown, Munro, Creighton, and Collins. ■ ■ ■. r „ Noes: Messrs Haughton, Eyes, Bunny, Maeandrew, HaU, Studholme, Webster, Yogel, D. M'LeAn, Gisborne, C. Parker, M'JLeod, Katene, Pearce, Parata, Andrew, Clark, : Peacock, Tribe, W. Kelly, Karaitiana, E. Richardson, J. !E. Brown, JReeves, T. Kelly, Harrison, Karslake, Carrington, G. Parker, Reynolds, Taiaroa, Fox, Hunter, Swanson, M'Gillivray, Henderson, Williamson, Farnall, O'Neill, G. M'Lean, M'Pherson, and Johnston. ■. , * Tuesday 7.47 p.m. Mr Gisborne's railway statement ia postponed until to-morrow. On the motionfor going into Committee of Supply, J) ' . " JMr Stafford stated that he had not m any way been Consulted regarding Mr Creighton's; motion ; but that Friday's division had led to the formation of the nucleus of an Opposition, which, now that it was j formed, would closely watch the conduct of the Government, and endeavour to secure that the general conduct of the finance of the country, both as to departmental expenditure and tho expenditure on public works, should be prudent and economical. They were notvery numerous, and had great disadvantages to start with; but m 1865 a Ministry had began a session, with a larger majority than the pre- : sont one had, and yet before the end Of the session had found itself unable to carry its measures. The Government he now opposed had a majority of 28, and it would be interesting to watch, its. in-,, creaße or decrease now that tliere .were two patties m the House. Members were ■ga yet undecided, but would soon bo able to determine with: wliich party they would wish^o be associated. Mr Maeandrew moved a resolution m favor of a reduction of the salaries of all non-political officers abovo £500, T to that amount, whether tho salaries were fixed under permanent Act or on Estimates ; and those over £400 by 25 per cent, on the excess above £400 ; also recommending the amalgamation of offices to as large an extent aspossible. l'lle Governriiont intimated that they did not apprbve of the first part of the motion, but did of- the latter ; they would not, however, make it a ministerial question, as it had boen brought forward m a very different manner to Mr Creighton's. If a rednction were made Ministeiß would not wish their own salaries to be excepted. A long debate ensued, which is as yot unfinished.; I Messrs Bunny, Shepherd (Otago), ' Swwwton, and Steward support thi motion,

Messrs "Yogel, Eyes, Gisborne, Curtis, and Ball oppose it. The latter recommend the members of the House to commence retrenchment -with themselves as regards the honorarium. '