PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1986, 6 July 1880, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

[Bv Telegraph.] fPEOM OHS OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, July 5, The Ministerial and Opposition party each held a caucus this afternoon at Parliament Buildings. The Ministerial caucus was attended by about forty members, the Premier presiding. Ton or twelve other members were stated to be accounted for. Neither Mr Swanson nor Mr Reader Wood will now attend any caucuses at all in oonacquenca of the fuss that has been made about their formerly attending meetings and afterwards voting on the other side. Mr Ormond was not present to-day, but attended Saturday’s meeting, of which to-day’s was an adjournment. The Government laid before the meeting proposals for reductions in nearly every department. Among those specially mentioned were railways, public works, defence, volunteer, and education. A strong feeling was expressed in favor of reducing the education vote, as also that for volunteering and defence. A good many members wore favorable to abolishing “ Hansard,” and curtailing legislative expanses generally. The Ministerial proposals involve a total reduction of nearly one hundred and seventy thousand. This appeared to meet the views of the party, most of the members expressing satisfaction with the large amount of the reductions proposed, and promising support to the Government in carrying them out, Mr Saunders intimated his approval, and it is understood that Mr Ormond and Mr Wood have also done so privately. The general result of the caucus is deemed satisfactory, as tending to increase the good understanding on the Government side.

The Opposition caucus took place at the same hour, and lasted somewhat later. Mr Macandrew was in the chair. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr DeLatour, seconded by Mr Eisher—- “ That this meeting will support any proposal for the decrease of the expenditure which will ensure both the substantial reduction of salaries paid to the members of the Civil Service and the diminution of its numbers consistent with the public interests, and it is determined to support all efforts which will lead to the general economy of the Government, ” The opinion generally expressed was that the Government were so strong that it was not any use resisting their proposals, but, nevertheless, the party are determined tc use every effort to compel a reduction of the estimates by £200,000, or at least £175,000. Great stress was laid on the necessity of reducing the numbers of officials, as well as the amount of salaries and cutting down expenses wherever possible. Thirty members were present and four more accounted for.

It is understood that the Representation Bill will not come on for its second reading to-morrow, but that the discussion of the estimates will be continued. It is deemed desirable that the pressing matters now before the House—viz., finance and Native affairs—should bo cleared off to some extent before fresh subjects of debate are introduced. Various rumors are flying about relative to the provisions of this Bill, but nothing authentic has yet been allowed to transpire. Mr Speight has received from the Thames a formidable petition, praying that the record of the committee which unseated Sir Q-. Q-rey for Christchurch city may be struck off the journals of the House. The petition is about 36 feet long, and contains about one thousand signatures. When unrolled it reaches from the Speaker’s box to the “bar” of the House.