WELLINGTON.

Evening Star, Issue 3003, 3 October 1872, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(FKOlf OUR OW.V CORRESPONDENT.)

Attempts have been since made in the Government organ, the Post iq deny that any such statement had ever been made (as was stated in yesterday’s Star) ; but it is well known that Mr Gillies at a caucus meeting of A uckland members did make the statement, with the view of keeping that portion of the Auckland members, who opposo V. eliingtou as the seat of Government, sweet. Before Mr Gillies joined haud-in-glore with Mr Stafford to oust the late Ministry, he was a supporter of Mr Reynolds’s resolutions for the aeperation of the two islands into two distinct Provinces, knowing thereby that his idea of Auckland as head quarters would assuredly take place. If this is not chicanery, Jet the outside public decide. It shows the incongruous elements of the then Opposition, and how little in common guides their policy—their object was place and power at any price ! Rut to resume: —Mr Shepherd, said he had heard one of the Government whips —a member of the Legislative Council —say in the lobbies that it would be the unpleasant duty of the Government to reduce the estimates by L 120,000 ; the member for Invercargill, another supporter of the present Coven}.

xoeut, laid they should be reduced by LIOO,OOO, and the Colonial Treasurer himlelf said they should be reduced by [>50,000, But the Government now found thomaelr. n in a fix. They knew that they dare not attempt with only a majority of three -and such a three—to reduce the expenditure to which some others of their supporters looked with such great expectation. No doubt the Government were working very hard, but the Ministry was composed of gentlemen of wnqualitications that xvhat took, them twelve hours could be done by ordinary men in three-(Not very complimentary). Mr Gillies said there certainly had been statements made bymenib'rs of the present Govemment when on the opposite side of the House to the effect that reductions might be made upon the estimates, bnt the late Government had assured them large reductions would be made on the estimates for the year, and if those reductions had really made, of course it became unnecessary that they would be further reduced—(Wonder of wonders). He might bo permitted to point out that further reductions could only now be made for six months, as some notice would of course have to bo given to the officers of proposed charges. If the Government were to recast the estimates it would result in the disorganisation of the whole system of the public accounts. He thought the House would be quite satisfied with the financial proposals of the Government when he made his statement. Mr Vogel said that if it was really the intention of the Treasurer to make the reductions after the votes were passed it would lead to utter disorganisation in the Civil Service, because it would only be reasonable to suppose that they would feel discontented at any action which was taken without the concurrence of the Legislature. He must object altogether to the attempt that was being made to put either the credit or the blame attaching to the present estimates on the late Government. If the Treasurer found himself unable to effect those vaunted savings which ho had told tho House he could effect, the responsibility must rest with the Government. Mr Stafford, at boiling point and fever heat, said he would not refuse to accept the responsibility, but he would tell members this, that if they were to be responsible for every single item, the Government would not go on with the estimates that night or to-morrow night ■—they would require a fortnight to consider them carefully. He would not press the estimates any further, but would consent to report progress after the passing qf tho vqte under discussion, The vote Legislative Departments, L 17,959 10a—was then agreed tp, and the chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow. Thus ended a brisk skirmish, of which tnoto will follow before tho final battle in which, to quote Mr Stafford’s memorable words, “The miserable wretches,” as a Ministry, will cease to exist.

(From our own Correspondent.)

At a meeting of the Opposition yesterday, was agreed to, table a notice Of want of confidence to-day. There are defections from Mr Stafford s party.