PARLIAMENTARY

Kumara Times, Issue 2799, 10 September 1885, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE. REDUCTION OF MINERS’ RIGHTS AND BUSINESS LICENSES. (fbom our own cokkespondent.] Wellington, September 9. In the House yesterday evening, the debate was continued on Captain Russel’s further amendment on the motion for going into Committee of Supply, to the effect that in the opinion of this House it is desirable that the public expenditure be reduced by a sum of not less than £500,000. The Minister for Public Works said the liabilities on the Ist of August last were £1,912,000, and it should be remembered many of these extended over a period of two or three years. The expenditure for the year, it was anticipated, would come within a million and a quarter. If the vote was reduced, as suggested, it would mean a decrease of Roads and Public expenditure. Considerable reductions might be made in the Railway estimates—on various lines, to about £400,000. If the motion was carried, the vote for Roads must also share in the reduction. A reduction would also have to be made in various other votes, which he pointed out would be very disastrous. He failed to understand the position of the hon. member, and said he thought Government must take such a motion as this as a hostile one. Major Atkinson said he bad understood Government proposed to go into Committee of Supply, and he therefore asked leave to withdraw his amendment “ That the Chairman do leave the chair.” The Premier suggested they should go a little further. Major Atkinson hoped Government would not press the bill that moment, since a discussion was certain. The Premier asked that the Committee would go on a little further—[Cries of “ No, no.”] The Premier: Then we will go on with the bill. He added that he did not propose to take any of the debateable clauses. He only wanted the Committee to do a little work. After a brief discussion, Major Atkinson withdrew his amendment and the bill was proceeded with. A number of clauses were struck out on the voices, and progress was reported. The Premier said if the lion, member meant that Government was to take back its Estimates, then he would say plainly, at once, they would not do it; but if the House wished to instruct the Committee to reduce the Estimates, of course the Committee would be at liberty to alter the Estimates. If the motion was carried, it would mean a reduction in expenditure on special lines of ? ail way, and it would also mean that the new Custom House at Auckland, and the Government Printing Office at Wellington would have to be delayed. Mr Macaudrow’s amendment for a Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon the advisability of having a separate form of government for each island, and that in the event of the commission finding it was advisable, a bill should be submitted to Parliiameut either next session or to a special session, was then put as the substantive motion, and lost on the voices. Captain Russell’s amendment then became the motion ; and, on its being put, Mr Moss moved as an amendment upon that “ That the Departmental

Estimates having been passed there should be no reduction in votes this session for works in progress, but the Government, during the recess, should try to reduce the expenditure.” Mr Russell’s motion had taken the House by surprise, and, if carried, would cause great depression, and throw numbers out of employment, and would stop the further erection of school buildings.

Mr Seddon seconded Mr Moss’s amendment reserving his right to speak later on in the debate.

Messrs Wakefield, Holmes, Thomson, and Reid spoke in support of Captain Russell’s amendment; and Mr Turnbull against it.

The House adjourned at 2 a.ro. without having come to any conclusion. Plainly put, the House is now debating Major Atkinson’s fifth no-con-fidence motion. The Canterbury, Nelson, and two Westland members are supporting Captain Russell’s amendment, and this move is made in the interests of the East and West Coast Railway. The general opinion is that the move will fail. Russell’s amendment may be carried, and may resign; but of this, there is no certainty; they may reach Chicago. Suppose both happens, the construction of the railway is not

one jot nearer. In the Legislative Council yesterday, the Hons. W. H. Reynolds, H. J. Miller, and J. Menzies were appointed to represent the Council at the Conference on the reduction of miners’ rights and business licenses.