POLITICAL NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1720, 29 May 1886, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

, The Government have again taken the wind out of the Opposition sails very cleverly. The first instance was the absence from the Budget of any proposals for increased taxation. This rendered an attack on the score of increased taxation impossible. The next point of attack was considered to be Ministers' declaration that retrenchment was impracticable. An adverse motion on this ground was talked of, but the Premier cut the ground from under the feet of the movers completely by an-; nouueinga Civil Service -.Reform Bill, tlwt is to save Borne £30,000 or £40,000 per annum m the course of the Civil Servioe. Nothing definite has yet transpired relative to the rumoured intention to table a no. confidence motion. Mr Mont, gomery's name was mentioned friely m connection with such iuteution, but, wo believe without any authority. , No decision haß been come to on tho subject by the regular Opposition party. We understand that the' Government have decided to appoint an additional puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, . as it is found that the accumulations of business are so large and increasing that the work lias grown altogether too much five' Judges to overtake. '■' Mr Beethain is to move a resolution affirming that provision should be made by the Legislature for the payment of witnesses for the defendant m criminal cases. Sir Robert Stout and Mr Ballance have improved their position very much since last session, and now the weak man seems to be the Treasurer. It is understood that the Govornment have determined upon the abolition of the District Courts and District Judges, on the ground that th« system has proved unsatisfactory and excessively costly.