The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1868.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 116, 26 September 1868, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1868.

Virtually, the Ministry has beeu defeated, as the division in the second instance was lost to the Opposition by the accidental absence of one of their number. Tbe strangest thina about the matter i 9, that the Speaker should have allowed Mr Cracroft Wilson's socalled amendment to be put as an amendment at all. It is no amendment to begin with, and if the Opposition had taken exception to it on this technical ground, the Speaker would, we believe, have felt himself compelled to give way. Aud it is at least doubtful whether th© Speaker was right in giving his casting vote with the Government. It turns on the simple question whether the vote involved money. OWWI Mr Stafford and his colleagues resign ? We have heard that question asked dozens of times during the day, and people point to the case of the Weld Ministry, who resigned in exactly a similar case. But Mr Weld was iv bad health, was really tired of office, and, above all, fastidiously honourable — foolishly so, some people said. Mr Stafford loves the place of Premier for its own sweet pleasures, and to some of his colleagues office is a material object. Therefore, aud also because of the hungry " waiters on providence " by whom he is supported, Mr Stafford is not likely to resign.

"We are indebted to a friend in "Wellington for a copy of the Government estimates for tbe financial year 1868-9, and, as our readers can hardly fail to be interested in the subject, we purpose giving a brief resume, reserving fuller comments till a future occasion. Exclusive of the Civil List and permanent charges, the estimates are divided into ten classes or groups. The following table will show the estimated expenditure under each class, as compared with 1867-8 : —

From tbe above it would appear that there is a reduction in the estimates for 1868-9, as compared with those of 1867-8, of £193,465 ls 3d; but, on examination, we shall probably find that this reduction is more apparent than real. Eor instance, in the Defence Estimates, which are this year placed at £47,597 16s, as compared with £107,204 17s 2d last year, it will be found that those of 1867-8 included a sum of £46,701 3s Bd., for liabilities on account of the Waikato military settlers, which was a temporary charge. Again, in the estimate for Native expenditure, there appears to be a reduction of £10,260 13s 4d. The real reduction, and even that is doubtful, amounts to £6175 13s 4d. In the class marked Miscellaneous, there appears to be a reduction of £18,078 14s; but there is' actually au increase of £5,775 Os 6d, as £23,153 14s of last year's estimate was for objects which were confined u> one year, such as census, £8000 ; inception of the Duke of Edinburgh, £5000, &c. By the way, it appears that although the Duke of Eninburgh did not visit the colony the Government spent the money. In the Postal class there is a total apparent reduction of £43,835 9s. Erotn this sum we must deduct 621,065 18s lld paid last year on account of arrears, thus making the reduction £22,769 lis. The chief part of this reduction is effected in the conveyance of mails by sea. Last year it amounted, exclusive of the Panama subsidy proper, to £38,391 0s lld. This year it is proposed to make it £18,650, thus saving £19,741 Os lld. But it is questionable whether the House will agree to this reduction. Wo notice that the mysterious

£7000 still appears oil the Civil list for "Native purposes." We should really like to know, and we have no doubt the public would like to know what is done with that money. We have been at the trouble to wade through these estimates for the purpose of collecting all the small sums put down under the head " Contingencies" — a convenient phrase, which may mean an honorarium to a Penal or other Commissioner, or the payment of a Government whip, or anything else of the same sort. Our readers will be surprised when we tell them that the G-overn-ment ask for no less a sum than £23,0-10 for " Contingencies." In individual cases, the sums look small, but the aggregate is startling when we recollect that this sum is placed at the absolute disposal of a Ministry which has shown that it knows the art of " securing" votes. BeMßM»«a—MM— ——————

1863-9 1867-8. £ s. d. £ 8. d. Civil List 27,800 0 0 27,500 0 0 Permanent Chargoss 320,512 16 6 319,490 5 5 Public Domains, &o. 2,880 0 0 4,076 4 0 Public Departments 36,820 1 0 43,567 10 4 Law and Justice 55,685 0 0 69,148 19 4 Postal &c. . 104.744 15 0 148,579 9 0 Customs 41,731 2 6 44,471 7 6 Eutive 12,583 12 6 23,541 5 10 Confiscated Lands 34,750 0 0 Miscellaneous 30,004 6 8 48,083 0 8 Militia and Volunteers 22,183 12 6 26,222 4 8 Defence 47,497 16 0 107,201 17 2 Totals 703,173 2 8 896,638 3 11