PARLIAMENT.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1063, 23 July 1883, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES• Friday, July 20. The House met at 2.3G p.m, SUPPLY—ANOTHER NO CONFIDENCE DEBATE. The committee of supply, upon discussing the item £1895 for the Colonial Secretary’s Department, Mr Swanson moved that the estimates be referred back to the Government for reduction. Major Atkinson said Government could not accept such a motion. If the House thought that there were gentlemen in the House capable of conducting the business of -the country more economically than those on the Government Benches, let them have the opportunity. The present Government did not see its way to reduce the expenditure, unless the House could show specifically how it was to be done. Government would not consent to reduce salaries £50,000 as suggested. Mr Montgomery charged the Government with being afraid to make the reductions without the direction of the House. House adjourned for dinner. EVENING SITTING. Hon, T. Dick resumed the debate and stated that salaries in his department could not be reduced. Those in the Postal and Telegraph Department were miserably paid. Mr Turnbull said that £50,000 could be saved in the railways alone. Mr Fitzgerald said that no Government with any self-respect could accept such a slap in the face as the resolution proposed. The issue was one of confidence, especially as the Government had already announced its intention of proposing a scheme of Civil Service reorganisation. Some further discussion ensued, and the House divided on a motion to report progress—Ayes, 34 ; noes, 43. Some members proposed to pass the estimates in globo , and Mr Fish proposed that those who wanted economy should walk out. Major Atkinson hoped members would remain and do their duty. If they could show an} 7 unnecessary items Government would consent to a reduction. The item, 1985, Colonial Secretary’s office, was then sot up by the Opposition members, and it was not until 7.25 on Saturday morning that progress was reported, all the estimates on class 2 having been disposed of.