Last Night's Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3593, 2 July 1880, Page 2

Last Night's Sitting.

The House resumed at 7.30. THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

Mr Tole strongly condemned the local financial proposals. He said it was evidently the intention of Government to force the adoption of the Countes Act throughout the colony, and to destroy Eoad Boards. He had no confidence in Mr O^ve/s administration of public works. .

Mr Tomoana urged the Government to withdraw their Native Lands Bill. He would vote against the Ministry on^the present motion. Mr Lundon, at great length, criticised the proposals and the administration of the Government adversely.

M/ Shrimski also snoke against the Government policy. He dec'a^ed no one except a supporter could get justice done t j his district, and this would continue to be the policy of the proposed local board. He advocated an export duty on wool.

The question was then put, and the House divided on the motion to go into Committee of Supply :—Ayes, 45 ; noes, 30.

Sir George Grey's amendment was consequently negatived.

DIVISION LIST,

Ayes :—Adams, Allwright, Atkinson, Bain, Beetham, Bowen, Brandon, Bryce, Colbeclf, Dick, Driver, Fox, Fulton, Gibbs, flail, Hurst, W. J. (Auckland Oily West), Hursthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Masters, McCaughan, McDonp'd, McLean, Moorhouse, Murray, Oliver, Ormond, Pit, Biclimond, Biehardson, RoHeajan, Russell, Saundevs, Seymour, Shanks, Stevens, Studbolme, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Whitaker, Wood, Wri.eht

Noes : —•Andrews, Barron, Brown, DeLautour, Finn, Fisher, J. 8., George, Gisborne, Grey, Harris, Hatchinson, Lundon, Macandrew, Montgomery, Moss, Eead, Seddon, Shepherd, Shrimski, Speight, Stewart, Tainui, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Thomson, Tole, Totnoana, Turnbull, Wallis and Jones.

PAißS—Ayes: Wakefield, Whyte, Mason, Bunny, H. Hirst. Noes : Eeeves, Sbeehpn, Balance, Hamlin, Pyke.

This day

After the division, the House went into Supply on the Post and Telegraph Depar ments Estimntes. Mr Hall slated the Post and Telegraph Offices were already largely united, and the arm'gamation would be further exHnded, It was also intended to ..unite the Hepd Administration of the two Departments, On the termination of existing contracts it was intended to save largely on inland mail services, also to abolish the round Middle Island, and Tauranga and Opotiki steam services, to do away with the Suez mail train from the Bluff to Christchufch, not to pay "the railway for carrying mails, ani altogether to effect an immediate saying of £14000 a year. £5000 a year nroro could be saved at an .early period if the Colony do without the Suez mail He promised arcduction of\s.p6r cent also to be made in!*alt salaries. •■'.-:

Header Wood thought- the general priDciple should be laid down at once, br-thfey might abandon all hope; of^aving anything. The forms of the House did not permit, or he would move the adoption of the following proposals : To reduce all salaries ■ of '£600 and upwards by twenty'per cent,, those from £30Q- to £600 by fifteen per cent., and those from £ISQ to £300, by ten per cent. Thai the office of Agent General be abolished. That the honorarium of members of the Louse of representatives be reduced by 25 vper cent. aad that of the members of the Legislative Council ba reduced by 50 per cent. That the number of district Judges and R.Ms. be reduced. That the various items for additional salaries bo not voted. That the salaries of the qhairman of the select committees be not voted. That a large reduction be made in the civil service by amalgamation and reorganisation, That telegraphic . and postal stations that did not pay be dispensed vyith, and that the charges uuder the heading volunteers and defence be reduced by £50,000. As he could not move these resolutions he proposed (a reduce the vote to the General Post Office,of £4000 by £500, which would practically be what he had suggested. " Major Atkinscm and Mr Hall objected to the proposals, and thought the house should vote the estimates, and then by resolution aSU'tn t«ie total saving wished, as it effected on them, .and leave Government to make it.

Sir G-. G-rey and Messrs Sw,anson and George supported Wood's proposals. Messrs Andrews, Shrimski, Bowen and Ormond oppose.! it. Progress was reported at 12.33 without anything being settled.