PALLIAMENTARY

Kumara Times, Issue 2800, 11 September 1885, Page 2

PALLIAMENTARY

IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. ROADS AND PUBLIC WORKS EXPENDITURE DEBATE. WAIMEA AND KUMARA WATERRACE ACCOUNTS. MINES ACT AMENDMENT BILL. (from our own correspondent.] Wellington, September 10. The proceedings in the House yesterday were of a most lively character. The debate on Mr Moss's amendment—- " 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" was continued until half-past 11 p.m. Those for and against the Government indulged in plain talk, and some extreme Oppositionists hinted at the session being prolonged for another- month. The gale blew itself out, and resulted in Mr Moss's amendment being negatived on the voices.

On Captain Russell's motion beiDg put, yet another surprise was in store. Mr O'Callaghan moved to add the words " provided that the reduction shall not affect any roads and bridges." This motion caused the waning fire to blaze forth again in gre;it fury, the question being Roads and Biidges versus Railways. If O'Callaghau's amendment be cirried, then the reductions would be solely on railway works, on goldfields, and public buildings. To this the goldfields members and those interested in railway extensions and public buildings object. Each one is willing to spill his brothei's blood, so longas his own skin remains unscathed.

Sir Julius Vogel made a vigorous attack on Mr Russell, comparing that gentleman's occupation to that of a drover of animals, which, true to history, were possessed of an inclination to bathe, and destruction followed. So with this motion. Better the mover and thoso with him perish, than that a reduction in the expenditure should take place, and thousands be thrown out of employment. He (Captain Russell) had openly said in the lobbies that New Zealand would never prosper until wages were reduced by 33 per cent. This was an ungenerous method he took to carry out the reduction. Government, would resist the lowering of wages to the last, even if by so doing he hurled them from the Treasury bonchea. I

Mr Russell, who evidently smarted under the castigation, replied that it was despicable for a Colonial Treasurer to retail lobby gossip in the House, when the Treasurer had referred to him as "a drover." "Well," said Mr Russell, "I have driven the Colonial Treasurer pretty hard this last two days; better to be the drover than the animal driven ; perhaps better it should take a bath."—[Laughter.] Government were simply expending money lavishly, and though temporary prosperity might ensue, crushing taxation must follow.—[At this the Premier gave a hearty laugh.—Mr Russell continued—" The Premier may sneer : he is of the same kidney as the Colonial Treasurer.—[Cries of "Oh ! oh !" and a Yoice: " That's not dignified language ; keep your temper !"—Laughter.] —Mr Russell concluded a bitter invective by saying he liberated any members from their promised support, and would go on his motion intact, even though he went into the lobbies alone. Mr Holmes replied to Russell, and explained that the compact made between Russell, and the Caterbury, Nelson, and some of the Westland members had been broken, inasmuch as the railway expenditure reduction alone had been aimed at. All obligations were at an end, seeing Mr Russell refused to accept Mr O'Callaghan's amendment. Major Atkinson made a vigorous attack upon the Colonial Treasurer, and said the 3olony could not stand an expenditure of three millions, as proposed by the estimate. He also argued that taking off half a million would not throw any persons out of employment. On the motion of Mr Scobie Mackenzie, the debate was adjourned till half-past seven to-night. The business will wind up about next Wednesday. Government have decided that nothing less than physical force shall remove them from the Treasury benches. They are determined to leach Chicago. September 11. In the House to-day, in answer to Mr Seddon, the Minister for Mines said that in future the Kumara and Waimea waterrace accounts would be kept separate. A message was received from the Legislative Council to the effect that the Council insisted on its amendment on the Mines Act Amendment Bill. This means the striking out of the clauses reducing miner's rights and business licenses. The House has asked for a free conference, which the Council has agreed to. Messrs Tole, Pyke and Seddon are appointed to represent the House, and the Hons. Messrs Miller, Reynolds, and Menzies represent the Council. The conference meets this day at twelve o'clock. The Hon. Mr Larnach, Minister of Mines, is unwell, and has not been in the House the last two days. The debate on Captain Russell's motion and O'Callaghan's amendment dragged wearily along until two o'clock this mornThe division will take place to-night. O'Callaghan's amendment will be negatived ; Russell's motion will be carried. Afterwards, when in Committee, the resolution will not be adhered to. The amount of reduction will be the vote for the East and West Coast Railway only. The House is thoroughly out of sorts, and the general opinion is that the sooner the prorogation takes place, the better it will be for the colony.