PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2610, 29 June 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Yesterday, Some amusement was created this afternoon, and a sham fight occurred on the resumption of the debate on Mr Bastings’s proposition to reform the Provincial Council. The Speaker and all the members were abroad what was to be done. One wishing to go on with the motions, another who had a speech to make was loth to lose the opportunity, another thought there was something in them—that was Mr Thomson. Mr Bastings was prepared to withdraw his resolutions. After a good deal of wandering from the question, and some difficulty as to convincing the Council as to the right way of going about their work, a division was taken, an I Mr Mervyn was called upon to resume the debate, when Mr Bastings tried to cut short all discussion by asking to withdraw his resolutions. Mr Mervyn, however, was unequal to going on with the debate, and asked leave to speak afterwards. Mr Haughton saw there was evidently to be no discussion, and that to pass the resolutions as a whole was a sort of public suicide by the Council Mr-Reynolds mnjMA-i’ortam amendments recommending retrenchment apd reduction in the number of members. After an hour’s debate, the previous question was moved by Dr Menzies and carried. On the motion that the Speaker leave the chair, a discussion arose on Mr Duncan’s motion to produce the Estimates of the late Government—a proposition which Messrs Cargill and Haughton, while offering no objection, expressed their disapproval as to the way the object in view was sought to be obtained. Then followed a disenssiun upon the financial policy of the Government, in which the stock arguments of the previous evening were repeated—the only new feature pf the debate being that the member for the Dupstan came in for no epd of abuse. A reminder by Mr Eastings of the real business of the Council served to bring up Mr Shand, who expressed his determination of putting the Government and its party to the tost as to the sincerity of their professions in favor of retrenchment, by moving the subst nee of Mr Mervyu’s intimation of the previous evening, viz.That the Estimates be referred back to the Government, in order that a reduction may be effected in the departmental expenditure to the extent of 25 per cent, j such reduction to be effected by the amalgamation of offices, and dispensing with the services of such officers as may not be essentially necessary to the efficiency of the public service.” Mr Mervyn considered it necessary to make some effort to reduce the Provincial Establishments so as to bring them more into consonance with the necessities of the time When large sums were to be disposed of, a large staff was necessary, hut in consequence of the depression and stagnation of every interest in the country, less had been re eived from the customs, proceeds of land, and other sources of revenue. Notwithstanding this, it was proposed to maintain as large a staff as in the early days of the goldfiels. After deducting payments absolutely necessary to be made in addition to the departmental expences, there was only about L 42.205 left for the construction of roads and bridges. He observed ten tne estimates LIOOO for water works for Dunedin. That should not. be made a charge on the Province, but those who reaped the advantages should pay the cost. And so with the High School, those parents whose children were educated there should bo prepared to put their hands in their pockets and pay the expence. Th* 1 Province had done nobly so far as education was concerned, but all that the Government should do, was to provide a good sound education within the reach of every class in the Province. There were other items which might be reduced. The hon member enumerated several items, and concluded by hoping that his amendment will receive the support of the House. Mr Haughton said that the position of the hon member at the head ol the Government reminded him of the classic story of Actean, who in ancient days kept a first-class pack of hounds, which in an unlucky day he let loose, when they fell upon him and cat him up. Just so had the hon. member sethis followers loose, and now that they were at liberty, he was unable to control them. One after another said they did not agree with the policy of the Government, others said they did not care what its policy was so long as they were able to retafu their seats. No doubt the Government found the pressure within the House, and probably public opinion without, were equally power ful in the same direction. Perhaps thai induced the hon member to bring forward the motien. He and those who voted with him, came forward with. a preposterous proppsi*

tion that he should assist in repelling. He asked the Government f to knock off the estimates £IO,OOO. Such a proposition might do for Mount Ida, not only for him but his constituents : but what did he do when he attempted to explain his preposterous resolutions ? After looking over the estimates, he contrived to pull but a Li, ooo for water supply to Dunedin—then education. Whence did he propose to take off LIO,OOO, from the LI,OOO or from education ? He s aid take it from departmental expenditure ; but he did not tell the House on what items the reduction should be made. Dr Webster followed on the same side, but proposed instead of LIO,OOO, that 23 per cent, should be taken off the estimates. After having spoken some time and pointed, out certain items that he considered extravagant. Mr Duncau followed, and blamed the House that in past sessions did not give him an opportunity of urging retrenchment, but, cut his argument short by suffering a count out. lu the course of his remarks, Mr Duncan said Mr Shand’s motion was the same as that of Tuesday evening when he was called to order by Mr Reynolds, who showed him the difference. Mr Reynolds urged that superfluous officers shouid be got rid of, while those who were needful should be well paid. Dr Menzies contended that, although; nominji ly a reduction of 25 per cent would be a positive saving, it would really make a difference of 12J per cent, taking into consideration that three months of the year had already gone, and three months’ notice or salary in lieu would, have to be paid. Thus only six months’ saving would be effected. Mr Reid reviewed the various arguments, and enumerated the various items, to show that the reduction asked for was impossible. Possibly L 6,000' miiflit be saved beyond what was proposed, 1 ub that could not be done without great indivi lual suffering. If the House was determined to press the matter, he must remit it to other hands.

This Day,

In answer to Mr Seaton’s question whether the Provincial Secretary was aware that patients suffering from scarlet fever were received into the Hospital, a letter from Dr Hulme was read, stating that there was no necessity for a separate fever ward. Mr I taniel’s motion, recommending a reserve for Municipal purposes at Riverton, was agreed to, providing the inhabitants pay Surman’s claim of L2OO for buildings. Mr Haughton’s motion for production of correspondence during the last twelve mouths relative to roads and works in the Lakes districts as well as with regard to the bridge at Arthur’s Point, Shotover River, and the track to Martin’s Bay, was agreed to. A pretty smart debate took, place on Mr Haughton’s motion to refer proposals for placing sains on the supplementary estimates to the Government. It was opposed byseveral members who had given notice of their intention to move for such appropriations, was negatived. Mr Basstian, in moving that Messrs Campbell and Robertson’s petition be again referred to the select committee on private petitions. He mentioned that three members of the committee were absent when the decision of the committee was arrived at, and that there was fresh evidence which ought to be considered. The motion was carried. [Left sitting.]