THE ESTIMATES FOR 1865-66.

West Coast Times, Issue 72, 18 November 1865, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE ESTIMATES FOR 1865-66.

(FROM THI2 SOUTHERN CROSS.) Tho following is a summary of the probable expenditure of tho New Zealand Government for tho financial year 1865-GG, showing tho estimates as submitted by Mr. Weld, and the reduced estimates which tho llouso voted for Mr. Stafford :—

This comparative statement will show at a glance one result of tho change of Government. Tho country can appreciato it at once. Tho Government of Mr. Weld declared that tho estimates could not bo reduced ; that to tampcrwith them would bo to render tho Government of tho country impossible ; but when Mr. Stafford brought down amended estimates, showing on tho ordinary expenditure for tho year a saving of LI 14,000 in round numbers, Mr. Sewell got up in tho llouso and mado a long financial statement, with a view of proving that tho Government of whic^ ho was a member nover con-

tcmplatod spending as much even as tho amount which Mr. Stafford declared to be necessary. Mr. Sowell actually wont further, and declared that Mr, Stafford's estimates were in excess of those submitted by the Weld Government. This speech was not answered because, as Mr. Russell said, no member of the House thought it worth refutation. Tho figures themselves disproved Mr. Sewell's statement; and it was not made anything better by tho concurrent testimony of Mr. FitKherbcrt. In short, tho llouso did not believe either of theso gentleriicn, and in this wo think they showed a wise discretion. But were it true, as stated by tho late Attor-ney-General and the Colonial Treasurer, that Mr. Weld's Government did not contemplate spending more than L 357,735 70s on the general and provincial appropriations, we ask, why did they come down and demand appropriations to the amount of L489,9<12 9s 1 Why did' they battle for every shilling of this, and declare that it was absolutely necessary 1 Why did they put up their puppet Premier to say that the estimates had been carefully considered in a full Cabinet, and by Ministers separately, and that the lowest possiblo expenditure had been proposed 1 Either theso statements were untrue, or Mr Sewell and M[* Fitzhcrberfc took unwarrantablqjliberj/ies with tho truth in the absence of Mr Wold and Major Richnrdson. Wo don't for a moment attribute anything like disingenuousness to tho last named gentlemen. Their characters aro above suspicion in that respect, and thereforo the gravamen of the chargo rests upon Messrs Sowell and Fitzherbert. There is another supposition, however, which might explain this seeming contradiction, and it is this — that tho lato Government, when asking for LI 14, 000 in oxcess of actual requirements, endeavoured to secure a largo surplus, which they could apply to pet projects during the recess, but for which they had not courage to ask for appropriations 'from the House. In cither case, however, the fact is one that reflects little credit on the late Government. Were there a proof wanting of its titter unworthlessness — of its untrustworthy character — the speeches of Mr Sewell and Mr Fitzherbert, at the close of tho session, when attacking Mr Stafford on the question of retrenchment, furnishes that proof. Wo havo no hesitation whatever in saying that wo do not consider either of these - gentlemen worthy of a seat in the Colonial Legislature, They are the worst specimens of a vory mischievous class in New Zealand, namely, seekers for office for the sako of tho pay.

Total ...£180,295 12 Net saving on Provincial appropriations Total net saving 0JC174,162 10 0 £0,143 2 0 113,900 19 0

APPROPRIATIONS, I'IIOVINOIAIi. Wold. Stafford. £ 8. d. £ 8. «1. Unappropriato.. 8,000 0 0 4,000 0 0 Auckland ... 30,051 10 0 80,804 0 0 Taronaki 3.000 0 0 8,275 0 0 Wellington ... 13,551 5 3 13,010 0 0 Hawko'sßay ... 6,093 2 0 4,987 0 0 Nelson '. 8,387 0 0 8,110 0 0 Mnilborough ... 7,033 0 0 6.C90 0 0 Canterbury ... 40,581 15 0 30,324 0 0 Otngo 53,100 0 0 50,550 0 0 Southland ... 10,298 0 0 10,072 10 0

Total... £300,340 17 0<C201,583 0 0 Net saving on general appropriations £107,763 17 0

ArrKOI'BIATION, UtiMEHAIi. Wold. Stafford. £ s. d. £ s. d. 3xecutivo ... 8,050 0 0 6,000 0 0 [legislative ... 17,510 17 0 14,050 0 0 ruclicial 1,800 0 0 1,400 0 0 fcogistration ... 3,025 0 0 1,900 o 0 Customs 1,065 0 0 1,665 0 0 Postal 102,845 12 0 100,000 0 0 internal defonco 89,705 0 0 25,000 0 0 Native 69,055 7 6 33,000 0 0 ?rinting establishment ... ' 6,205 0 0 4,688 0 0 Jcological ... 4,500 0 0 3,000 0 0 Miscellaneous. 15,875) 0 0 10,000 0 0