HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1723, 21 July 1883, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. YESTERDAY.

The House met at 2.30. The Select Committee on evasions of land law dii Otago reported that there would be little good in proceeding with the enquiry unless an act was passed, giving indemnity to witnesses who might criminate themselves. Mr Pyke, who brought up the report, asked Government what course they would adopt. Mr Rolleston said he would at once ask leave to introduce a bill, and on Tuesday would ask the House to pass it ' through all its stages. Leave "was granted, and the bill was read a first time. Replying to questions, Ministers said I Government did not consider it expedient to offer rewards for the discovery of gold fields in the North Island. The House went into Committee of Supply. Mr Hutchison objected strongly to the excessive character of the Estimates. Mr Swanson also agreed that the Estimates generally should be largely decreased, and moved to report progress, in order that the whole Estimates might be referred back to the Government for reduction. Mr Seddou supported this. Major Atkinson acquitted Mr Swanson of any party feeling, but the Government could not accept the motion. If the House thought 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 bliow specifically how it was to be done. He reviewed the Estimates, department by department. Instead of having, increased, the expenditure had been largely decreased since 18S1. Government would not consent to, reduce salaries by £50,000^8 had beeu suggested. Mr Montgomery supported the motion. He said the Estimates could be reduced by £50,000 without any loss of efficiency. The debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. Mr Dick resumed debate on Mr Swanson's motion to report progress. He did not think the work of the departments he presided over could be done with a smaller staff than at present. Mr Turn bull said the £50,000 could be saved in the Railway Department alone. Mr Green would be very sorry to see the reduction of 1881 repeated in the same way. However, retrenchment was desirable. Mr Fitzgerald said 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 Government had already announced its intention of proposing a scheme of civil service reorganisation. Mr George suggested Government could save a large sum by ceasing to give members of the Legislative Council their honorarium. The , A.C. > Force could also be reduced. If Government officers worked an hour or ,so longer .daily the number could be largely reduced. Mr Sutton.said it was- quite, open to Mr : George to move reductions when these votes came on. He opposed the motion. , ' , „ Mr Hobbs said the question was who sho.uld govern the country. He would be no party to placing the .Opposition on the Government benches in place of the present Ministry. Mr Swanson said there were lots of ways to save money without attacking the Civil Service. He in no way intended hia motion as one of want of confidence. Mr Smith supported the motion. The committee divided on jthe motion for reporting progress.? Ayes,; 34; noes, 43. MrJoyce'ttiougbi that after the vote the committee,, should, pass the departmental votes in globo. xi was useless wasting fime ll dispusßing,i,tems. r , „», . ? , ( Mr tFiahiconcurred.jiThose |Who, wanted economy had better walk out an<L;fch.rp,w the whole responsibility on the Government. ,f j • .'! ',- r Jf < , Major Atkinson hoped members would remain' an&',(& their dutyy^lf they^coulijl show- ariyii'nn'ece'ssary items GoyeYhment would 'WilliriglyJcbnsenf to r reductions, ; , Item r/jQofynial'' [{Secretary's; f office, £1895. ~A&eed,tp; }y iv ,IWUIU* j •\ " , (Left Bitting).

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