POLITICAL RUMORS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2585, 4 July 1881, Page 2

POLITICAL RUMORS.

The Parliamentary correspondent of the “ Lyttelton Times” telegraphed as follows on Sunday nightßumour was busy last night about the vacant portfolio, and Mr Pitt’s name was freely mentioned. So much credence was given to the ramour that ho had been selected, that one independent member, generally pretty well posted, offered to wager even money inMr Pitt’s favour. I have, however, to day been assured on direct authority that Mr Pitt himself knows nothing of it, and wonld be about the last man to accept it. The fact is that no member of standing would accept office in the present condition of affairs.

The feeling is strongly growing that a premature dissolution and an early appeal to the country are imminent. There are rumors, with respect to the absolute correctness of which, however, I do not vouch, that a difference has arisen between Mr Hall and Mr Rolleston on account of the latter seconding Major Te Wheoro’s motion for printing Maori members’ speeches in Maori, contrary to Mr Hall's wishes. I give the rumor merely for what it is worth; but there are circumstances that render its correctness extremely probable. Yesterday forenoon a Cabinet order numbered 12, and signed by Ebenezer Fox, Secretary to the Cabinet, was sent to the various departments, intimating that 10 per cent reduction in salaries would be made permanent, except in cases where Ministers deemed it advisable to make the reduction more or less. It is said that shortly after the issue of the circular, Ministers were so inundated with protests and appeals by political friends of Civil servants, that they purpose withdrawing the circular and reconsidering the matter. The following items were wired by the “Press” correspondent;—l kfd authoritatively informed that there is no truth in the report which has Jboen several times repeated in various shapes, to the effect that the Government have decided to deduct 10 per cent from all salaries above £2OO. It is quite true, I believe, that this proposal, which was strongly pressed in the House last session, did eome before a Cabinet meeting recently, but nothing definite resulted. No decision was arrived at, and the matter was postponed for further information to be available before any final determination should be come to.

It is now probable that the delivery o£ the Financial Statement will not take place on Tuesday as arranged, but will be posponed till Wednesday or Thursday. Major .. Atkinson is quite ready with his budget proper, but to make it complete, and in order to work out certain proposals he will mike, he needs some departmental. estimates which are not fully compiled. Every effort is being made to have them ready by Tuesday,, but it is hardly likely that this can be done. If not, the statement will be deferred until they are complete, but, in any case, not later than Thursday. .