MINISTERIAL CAUCUS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 3 July 1880, Page 2

MINISTERIAL CAUCUS.

(by telegraph. )

(from our special correspondent.) Wellington, July 3.

: A caucus of Ministerial supporters was held in the Parliament buildings to-day, and lasted from 11 until 10 minutes past one o'clock. All parties who voted in the late division were represented, except Messrs Wood, Hurst, Swanson, and Colbeck. The Premier and Colonial Treasurer stated that, finding a strong desire expressed on all sides of the House, especially by some of their most prominent supporters, that larger deductions should be effected in the departmental estimates, the meeting had. been called to receive the views of, their supporters, with the object of arriving at some basis of action, and laying down a principle of retrenchment which would reconcile the ideas ofthe party. A long discussion then ensued, members freely expressing a desire that a very considerable reduction should be effected under all the heads of the estimates, and proposing various methods of effecting the_ result. The meeting ended in no definite plan being arrived at, and has adjourned till Monday at the same hour, Ministers promising in the meantime to examine the - Estimates i and submit the utmost possible amount | capable of reduction. They will also invite their supporters to come to a common understanding as to . the ■principle upon which the reduction shall be effected. Mr. Ormond was present. The Government wijl probably propose a reduction to the amount of L 150,000, but it is doubtful whether that will be sufficient to satisfy a majority of the House. Later. The Auckland four are working together under the direction of Mr. Wood, with a view to bringing pressure on the Government to reduce largely. They claim to be the masters of the situation. The Government claim that their reduction of five per cent., or Lso,ooo'for nine months, means nearly LIOO,OOO a year. At the Ministerial caucus, Messrs. Ormond arid Saunders strongly urged the adoption of a system of reductions as early as possible in accordance with Mr. Wood's resolution. The Government replied that they were favorable to Mr. Wood's proposals, and would willingly adopt them as far as possible. Probably those proposals will be adopted in some modified form.