POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 7 August 1880, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(by telegraph.) (from: our own correspondent.) Wellington, August 7. Expectation was stretched to its utmost last night when Mr. Oliver rose to deliver his statement. The galleries were full, and more members were in their places than at any period daring the session. It was reasonably expected that the statement, the incubation of which had cost so much time and trouble, would be a masterpiece in point of political cleverness. Even if the Minister had propounded some erudite theory for the construction of railways and roads without money it would have created bnt little surprise. He did nothing of the kind, though he virtually said there is only L 521.000 of the last loan, out of which L 674,000 will be required for the present year. The balance being the only amount that will be available, at all events till the expiration of three years, or within the period the Colony is prohibited from further borrowing. He excused himself from all responsibility for breaking the promises of the past, because of the emptiness of the Treasury. There is not the least .attempt to devise some means whereby the lopds of the Colony conld be settled, and railways made through them out of the proceeds of the sale. Political rest, starvation for the unemployed, and commercial stagnation appear to him as inevitable, and in expressing an opinion as to the brilliant future oflhe Colony, he is in effect saying to colonists that have been and those that will be brought to the verge of starvation that they w3l be yet filled. Whilst the Statement is bald 33 regards a satisfactory policy, it is pregnant with misconceptions and absurdities. It is a farce to thank Mr. Josiah Firth for having snagged the Thames River. It is well known that he did it to provide a means of conveying the produce of his estate to market, and that he afterwards applied to the Government for about L 40,000 for the benefit he had conferred on the district, which almost entirely belongs to himself; but Mr. Firth is a wealthy man, thanks to the unjust land laws, and we supr pose Ministers consider it politic to eulogise such energy as Mr. Firth's. But as proving that the House did not take the same viaw, a loud laugh burst from all side 3 when the fulsomeness of the Minister towards a political partizan had been so ridiculously exercised. There is a feeling that this" reference to Mr. Firth's liberality gave a ludicrous aspeGt to the whole statement. Again, it is felt that the Government has burked the question of railway reform and the adjustment of tariffs as a means of increasing the re venue from lines that are now a burden on the system. Being viewed as a sine qua non, it is rumored that the harmony of the Cabinet has been ruthlessly broken by this statement. Even the most faithful followers of the Government utter not a syllable in defence of the proposals contained therein, whilst the Opposition are porine over its contents and sharpening their weapons for a fight. On the Public Works Estimates are the following votes Construction and land, Whangarei to Karoo, L 48,725, including expenditure and liabilities, L 14,325 ; Kaipara to Waikato, L 129,569, including L 83,216 ; Wellington to Napier, L3G,GI2, including L2G,OSi ; Wellington to Wocdvilie. L 83,825, including L 69,110 ; Wellington to Foxton, L35,7G2, including L 33,877; Foxton to New Plymouth, L 115,502, including 1.100,368 ; Carlyle to Waitara, L 81,173, including L 53,576; Nelson to Greymoutli, L 12,833, including L 6910 ; Greymouth to Nelson Creek and Greymouth Harbor, L 5700, including L 6605 ; Picton to Blenheim, L 9615, including L 591 2; main line and Oxford, Eyreton, Lyttelton, Southbridge, Springfield, Whitecliffs, Opawa, and Waimate branches L 139,383, including L107.65G; main line and Upper Ashburton L4OOO, including L 2912 ; Little River and Akaroa L 16,000, including L 547; Canterbury interior L 16,500, including L 7935; main line audDuntroon, Ngapara, Port Chalmers, Brighton Road, Outram, and Lawrence branches L 237.480, includ- j ing L 206,745; Ngapara to Livingstone, { L 12.000, including L 5823 ; Palmeraton to j Waihemo L3OOO, including L 1432 ; main | line and Catlins, L4OOO, includingL27lß ; j Waipahi to Heriotburn L 68.000, including ! L 66,418; Edendale to Toi-Tois L4OOO, including L 292 1; Ot«go Central L 87,720, i including L 50,354; Invercargill to Kingston, L 3725, including L21?8 $ Lumsden to Maroro, L 7500, including LG7QI; jVlakarewa to Riverton and Riverton to Otautau, L 35,010, including L 35,243 ; Otautau to Nightcaps, L 12,000, including L 767 8; Riverton to Orepuki, LJ.5,000, including L 13,344. Bain's included. This represents expenditure between April Ist and July 31st, and liabilities on the latter date.

K"o sums are asked for new roads projected. For the road Nelson to Greymonth and Westport, LIo.OOO, including 1A527 expended. There is no new yote in Otago or Southland to open land before sale. For land purchase in the Nor-h Island, L120,G22 is sc.iter! as .'Ljiioluceiy required during the current year. Telegraph extension, nii. Public Buildings, very slight. Education, no new vote for iiiildjijgs. L 106.031 taken to cover liabilities and miscellaneous funds. Sums voted last year revoted, L 129,178, including, L 84,032. Contingent defence, L 120,000, including L 35,000. Charge of raising loans L189,43Q to cover liabilities existing.