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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 164, 10 July 1880, Page 2

Wellington, Friday night. The House met at 2.30. Sir George Grey presented a petition f romi9oo electorsattheThames.stating that they viewed with alarm the decision of the Committee re the Cnristchurch election, and praying that the finding that Sir George Grey had not been duly elected should be expunged from the records of the House. Mr Barron gave notice that he would move, That in view of the serious loss the premature withdrawal of the subsidies is certain to cause to local bodies which have made financial arrangements dependent on a continuance of subsidies as fixed by statute, the Government be requested to make provision for payment of :sucn subsidies until 1881, in accordance with the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876. Mr Murray gave notice that he would ask whether, in reducing Civil Service salaries as proposed, it was also intended to make a corresponding reduction on pensions, especially pensions payable to absentees. Mr Andrews gave notice that he would ask whether the removal of the Railway Commissioner's department to Dunedin was meant to be a permanent arrangement. Mr Hall laid on the table a reply by the North Island Railway Commissioner to the Civil Service Commissioners' report. Replying to questions put, it was stated that the Education report was in the hands of the printer, and would shortly be produced—The Government had not ordered Volunteer uniforms from England. They had sent for an estimate of the price, and from what could be ascertained, the estimate was likely to be 50 per cent less ,than could be got in tbe colony. — No instructions had been forwarded to Sir Julius Yogel to represent New Zealand at meetings held in London to consider the question of Imperial unity. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Hall, that the House sit on Monday in Committee of Supply. Mr Hall explained that the Government had considered the resolution of Mr Saunders and held that it bound them to make a re* duction of ten per cent on all salaries, pay and wages, and this would be provided for in tho Appropriation Act; but while applying the Bill generally, there were certain exceptional cases in which it would not be right to apply the reduction, and these the Government would take the opportunity of excepting. As to wages, the Government found no injustice would be done in applying the resolution, as in most cases pay by the Government was higher than that paid by private employers for similar work. The reduction of ten per cent would be made exclusive of a further reduction by the consolidation of offices. Mr Hall moved the vote, Postal Department, General Post Office, £4000. Mr Reader Wood proposed that it be reduced £500. Mr Macandrew suggested that the Estimates should be passed in a lump, adding that it was plain from what the Government had stated that they considered the reductions were to be made just as they might think fit. Mr Seddon objected, contending that they should be discussed item by item. The discussion lasted until the ment at 5 30. Saturday. Last night considerable progress was made with the estimates. On the first vote " Postal Department " Mr Wood's motion to reduce it by £500 was negatived on the voices. Mr George moved a reduction of £250, which was lost on a division by 35 to 29. The item !' general salaries" was on Mr Hall's motion reduced by £100. The " carriage of mails by sea " vote was reduced by £900 by abolishing the Nelson to Hokitika service, which was opposed by Messrs Seddon, Fisher, and Gisborne, but carried on a division by 44 to 15. Mr Seddon then moved to further reduce it by £240, tbe cost of the Nelson to Collingwood service, but withdrew the motion after a discussion. The vote for the intercolonial service was reduced by £1998, and the vote for inland mails was reduced by £1400, Mr Hall stating that amongst other services to be dispensed with would be the Napier-Tauranga coach. As the contracts fell in he hoped to be able to save £5500 a year. The item " carriage of mails by rail " was reduced to £700. The Telegraph Department estimates were next proceeded with. The Premier explained that the Telegraphic receipts from all sources had been £73,000. There was mileage telegraphic communication amounting to 3600 miles, and of actual wire over 9000 miles. The duplex system of working two messages on one wire was very successful, and extended over 2228 miles, effecting a saving of £2220. The administration of the Railway Telegraph Department had been taken over, which effected a very considerable saving. The amalgamation of post offices and telegraph stations had been carried out to a considerable extent. Out of a total of 220 stations, 123 were amalgamated and further amalgamations would take place shortly, particularly, it was hoped, in the larger offices. With regard to stations that did not pay expenses, there were eighty- four, on which the excess of expenditure over receipts amounted to £5800. They had the alternative of closing these offices, for the guarantee system was not satisfactory, or of raising the price of messages, which he proposed to do, sixpence each to and from these stations. By closing the large offices from five o'clock to seven o'clock, they would effect a saving of twenty-seven officers. He was very sorry to have to dispense with their services, but it must be done. It was proposed to cull out the least useful. Some of them would have to receive compensation. The total savings would be £3480, but the' compensation would amount to £940. They also proposed to dispense with the services of a Telegraph Inspector and a Telegraph Surveyor. They paid £5000 as a subsidy on the cable, but they proposed to charge an additional 3d per word average, which they thought would increase their revenue by £2300. It was also proposed not to confirm the agreement about tbe duplication of the Darwin line, which would save another £1500. On the vote, £100,271 10s Telegraph Department" being put, the Premier moved that it be reduced by £3704, which was agreed to. The "Colonial Secretary's Department" was then proceeded with, and the Committee were discussing the salaries of Electoral Registrars when the House rose at 12.30.