POLITICAL NOTES.
(BY TKLEGIUrK—OWS fIOnnKSTON'OEN'T.) Wellington, Wednesday. REDUCTIONS OF EXPENDITURE. THK resolution moved tins afternoon, " That the Government should, it poss.be. effect a further reduction in the public expenditure of £100,000," is the outcome of the labours of the Retrenchment Comn.ittuc, which has been going through the Estimates for the last week or two. Much aniuso-nent lias been caused by the resolution being so drawn tint the Government, " if possible." should make this huge reduction As was pointed out during the debate this'afternoon, there is nothing in the •amendment to prevent its acceptance by tho Government, and a request to reduce the expenditure by a million, with the same proviso, would have just as good a chance of being accepted. 1 understand the Premier suggested the "if possible" being inserted in the amendment before ho consented to accept the proposal it contains, but he has not yet informed the House of the position he will take up on the amendTHE CABLE INTERRUPTION. Mr Valentine gave notice this afternoon to ask the Defence Minister whether, in view of the interruption of cable communication with Europe rind the possibility of war being imminent, lie will tab) stops to ascertain whether the defences of the colonies are effective. Also whether the Government will supply the volunteers with a better class of Hrearms than those now in use in New Zealand. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPAimiKNT. A report is current that reductions a-e to be made in the salaries paid to officers of tho Government Insurance Department. U is stated that some difficulty has beon felt in arranging the respective salaries of Mr Luckie, the Commissioner, and Mr Krankland, the actuary. At present Mr Luckie gets £1000 and Mr Frankland £800. The intention is that the two shall be placed on an equality, each receiving £800 per annum. AMENDING SHEEP ACT. I understand that the Government have resolved in consequence of a decision of Mr Justice Ward's in the Christchurch Supreme Court last week, to introduce an amended Sheep Act to define more distinctly the moaning of the term infected flock, as being any flock regarding which a clean certificate has not been issued. THE MOKAU CASE. Mr Hutchiiison has now taken up the Joshua Jones case, and intends to ask the Premier whether in view of the fact that Mr J. Jones has intimated his intention not to submit his case in the Commissioners recently appointed to enquire into his claims' the Government consider any good result cm follow tho Commission proceeding to take evidence on which no final action can bo taken. The petitioner has evidently left Wellington for the present, probably to shepherd the Commission, as he has not been seen in the lobbies for several flays past. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP. A cable message has been received by the Government to-day from Sir Dillon JSjII intimating his willingness to renew his engagement as Agent-General for three years longer at :i salary of £1,250 per annum. This definitely settles the canard so persistently circulated lately about Sir Harry Atkinson.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2494, 5 July 1888, Page 2
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504POLITICAL NOTES. Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2494, 5 July 1888, Page 2
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