HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 420, 18 October 1876, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

There is little doing in the House beyond squabbling over the Estimates. As yet we have seen no motion made by Captain Morris. Sir George Grey thought the salary of the Governor should be reduced to £3,000, that of the Premier to £1.500, and the other Ministers to a thousand each, while ministerial residences should be done away with altogether. - - vs The Premier moved the second reading of the Provincial Abolition Financial Arrangements Bill, briefly remarking that it would be better to take the debate on this Bill, the Estimates and other financial matters together. The Bill was read a second time. The New Zealand Loan Bill was also read a second time, on the explanation that on going into Committee they would only ask for one million - instead of two. Messrs Reid and Reynolds would prefer seeing power taken for two millions, and if that was not required to raise only one million. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Sharp moved as an amendment resolutions to the effect that “ The unproductivE expenditure be kept within the ordinary income; that the Civil Service be reorganised; that the reorganisation could be best effected by the Government during the recess, and that the House pledge itself to support the Government in carrying out those resolutions.” The Premier accepted the resolutions on behalf of the Government, as they were in accordance with the wishes of the Government, and strengthened their hands. They would do their utmost during the recess to retrench and reorganise and economise in every possible direction. Sir George Grey considered the resolutions a political design that meant noth- ’ ing but to intercept the resolutions he spoke of moving jist night. They had

neither nerve nor fibre in them. H< then said he wished to move, as a further amendment, “ That the financial position of . the Colony requires the utmost economy in the administration of public business, aud to effect this large reductions should be made iu the Estimate without delay.” He argued at greai length that the Government could make the reductions if they liked, but thed did not want to do so. He urged cutting down the salary of the Governor and Ministers, abolishing the Ministerial residences, and the office of AgentGeneral, &c. After some farther discussion Sir George Grey wanted progress reported, as he wished to move a resolution. He and many others thought the Estimates could be reduced £lOO,OOO. Major Atkinson said the Ministry were not prepared to make such a reduction at one sweep. It would not be prudent. He would not give way to any man in desire to make reductions. MR MACANDREW TELEGRAPHS TO THB SECRETARY OF STATS. The following is a copy of a telegram sent by the Superintendent to the Governor “ Dunedin, October 11. —I regret that by some inadvertence a copy of the following telegram, sent by me to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, was not forwarded to your Excellency as intended, by mail from Dunedin, on October 6: *To the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.— Urgent.—The Abolition of Provinces Act passed last session of the General Assembly is being forced into operation, notwithstanding the strenuous opposition of the people of Otago constituting about a third of the population of the Colony. I am advised the said Act, founded on cap. 82 of 30 Vic., is ultra vires. 1 have tne honor to suggest that the said Act be referred to Her Majesty’s AttorneyGeneral with a view to its disallowance, if void. A deep feeling of wrong pervades the province. The Provincial Executive is pressed to convene the Provincial Council, and claim the political rights conferred by the Constitution Act. —James Macandrbw.’ ”