The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1886. POLITICAL CRISIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1254, 3 June 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1886. POLITICAL CRISIS.

As we predicted a few days ago, when noticing the introduction of the Civil Service Reform Bill, the Government's half-hearted profession of a desire to effect a reduction in the departmental expenditure of the colony has not satisfied those members who demand some defined and substantial policy of retrenchment. In the House of Representatives last evening Mr Montgomery moved that Government should reduce the Estimates during the current year by £-75,000, and he supported this startling motion by a vigorous criticism of the Financial Statement. The member for Akaroa contends that the surplus which the Premier announced with a great flourish of trumpets at Napier, and which the Treasurer made the piece de resistance of his annual budget, has no existence in fact ; that it has only a visionary presence depicted by a species of financial legerdemain. Mr Montgomery ridiculed the Civil Service Reform Bill, and very fairly anticipated its probable effect when lie said it was really a measure to provide for the appointment of a commission to enquire into the prices of potatoes and slop-clothes. His suggestions that Ministers should reduce their own salaries, and dispense with some of their official extravagancies were very much to the point, and even the most infatuated admirer of Sir Julius Vogel will be unable to deny the statement that a prominent trait in the character of the Colonial Treasurer is an overreadiness to borrow. We presume, from a perusal of the telegraphed report of Mr Montgomery’s speech, that the member for Akaroa had no desire to pose as the leader of the Opposition. But the Premier, very naturally, would not submit to the proposed rebuff’, without making the question a party one. Sir Robert Stout’s reply to Mr Montgomery was neither an able nor a generous effort ; it was vigorous and vehement, but the personal references to the member for Akaroa were, under the circumstances, in bad taste. The

Premier’s defence of the Civil Service Bill was as weak as the Bill itself. The measure, he said, was drafted by himself before Parliament met, and it was “ almost decided to put it in the Governor’s speech.*’ He would like to ask what other system could be adopted

for retrenchment in the service other than was stated in the Bill ? “ Did the /ion. gentleman leant fewer post or telegraph offices ?” This is fencing the question. Attack our Civil (Service how, when, or whore you may, the . stereotyped reply is, “ Look at our Post and Telcgranh systems.” These two branches of the Service, owing to an influence which wo need not discuss at the present moment, arc. conducted with economy and efficiency, and Ministers would have them excuse the extravagancies and mismanagement of every other department. But the growing opposition to the present {Government will not be suppressed by attempted evasions ; the whole question of colonial finance will be fought out on the floor of the House during the next few days. As to the ultimate result of the struggle, we have not sufficient information upon which to form a reliable opinion, but there are already indications that the friends of the Government are not entirely satisfied with their position. The defeat of the Ministry would, probably, be followed by a dissolution of the House, and qualified persons who are still

unregistered should not lose anothe:

moment in securing the privileges to which they are entitled.

The usual monthly meeting of the Ashbur. ton County Counoilyvill take place to-morrow,

Sir William Fox and Mr Glover are successfully i executing their temperance mission in Christchurch.

We understand 'that several Ashburton residents have engaged passages by the iS.S. Triumph for Kimberley.

Kobt. Kent and Charles Stanton Wedge were committed for trial at Christchurch yesterday uuder a charge of robbery with violence. There ii another case of the same nature against two other men to bo heard to-morrow.

W. H. Itlessenger, the hotelkeeper who absconded to Melbourne, was brought before the Christchurch Police Court yesterday, charged with the misdemeanour of deserting bis wife and going to another colony; Ho was re»a«(ied.

We have received from the Union Stenm

ship Company, copies of its time tables and pockets guides for June. A meeting of the Committee of the Ashburton Racing Club was held at the Club’s room last evening. A statement of accounts in connection with the late race meeting, which was considered satisfactory, was submitted by the Secretary, A number of accounts were passed for payment, and other routine business having been transacted, the Committee adjourned. A social gathering will be held at the St. Stephen’s schoolroom, Burnett street, this evening.

The division on the second reading of the >ish Land Purchase Bill will I e taken in the tritish House of Commons to-morrow.

Meetings of the Upper Ashburton and Ashburton (suburban) jj Licensing Committees will be heldto-morrow.

The annual meeting of the members of the Ashburton Racing Club will be held on Saturday Juno 12. We are pleased to learn that notwithstanding the unfortunate weather the late race meeting produced a substantial additional to the funds of the Club.