TELEGRAMS.

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1572, 10 July 1885, Page 2

TELEGRAMS.

(from ocr own correspondent.) Wellington 9. In submitting the budget proposals no Ministry in this Colony record so many reverses at the start as the Yogel Government did last night when the amended tariff came before the House. In Committee the Government was simply made a political football of, and were only saved from a crushing defeat by the well timed motion of Seddon, of Kumnra, and a strong Ministerial supporter, who moved to report progress. When the House re-asse > bled at 10.45., after the usual half hour's adjournment, the Opposition, working in a compact.) body, assist**! by a section of freetraders from the Gov eminent side of the House, called for a division ah each resolution was proposed. Spirits, 14s 6d : wines, 5s 6d; sparkling wine, 6s 6d, and Australian wine, 43 Od, were retained, but all the other proposed duties, such as tea, boots, shoes, cornflour, raazina, butter, cheese, candles, and goods of a similar kind, were struck out by auoverwelming majority. When the items carriage and carriage wheels came on, Seddon in a vigorous speech moved to report progress, which the Premie* objected to, but afterwards the Treasurer accepted the suggestion, and after a short discussion progress was reported at 11.45., and the House adjourned. Seddon remarked that the Government should be. allowed time to consider their position, as it appeared to. him that the manner in which the various items had l>een lost was a sure | indication that all proposals would lie lost independent of merit. J. C. Brown contended there was no I doubt that the Committee had l>een ! made nse'of l>y the Opposition, and he ': hoped the Goveiumcut would not ac- | eppt divisions that night as on party ' questions. | Seddon replied that his object was : to give the Government an opportunity j to consider whether they could not reduct- the expenditure. The Premier pointed out that if this Government went out it would it? i succeeded by a Government that was ! a still more protective Government. IHe thought the freetraders of th« 1 House had hmiTy acted fairly in | allowing themselves to be allied to the Opposition for the purpose, when they : they had an opportunity of giving j notice before hand of refusing any iuj crease in the customs duties. i Turnhull condemned both Sir George Grey and Major Atkinson as exhibiting hypocrisy in a very marked manner. In reference to the reduction of expenditure lih had every confidence- in i the expenditure of the Government, and hoped they wonM not go off those | licuches even on the ground of econ- | omy. j Yogel said the Committee had got into a discussion of a semi-party character, and it was impossible in view of the division taken that night to judge of the exact position of parties. He was not disposed himself ) to blame the leader of the Opposition ■ for taking advantage of the votes ' offered him that evening. The question arose whether it would be wise to discuss the new proposals at once. He thought it would be best to adopt the motion of Seddon, since it appeared that there was no chance of getting the proposals discussed on their merits. A meeting of Government supporters was held this morning, 40 Iwing present. A resolution was passed .expressing entire confidence in the Government, and a deputation was appointed to represent to Ministers that they shonld withdraw their tariff, and modify their Local Bodies Finance and Powers Bill in the direction of omitting the power to local bodies borrowing upon the security of subsidies, and mincing the 25 years guarantee to 5 years ; and also ■ that the Government should make strenuous efforts to reduce expenditure. The committee was empowered to inform the Government that in case they did not see their way to adopt the suggestions they would be advised to resign. The committee interviewed the Government at noon and laid before them their suggestions. The t npshot was that tho Government when the House met at 2.80. adjourned to 7.80. this evening. Subsequently a meeting was held between Ministers and their supporter*, and resolutions as to the course of action proposed to be taken will be stated to night. Ail kinds of rumors are flying about lobbies as to tho probable action- to fe*

taken, some averring that the Government will resign, which is most probable, and others that V >^'l is endeavoring to arrange a coalition with N Atkinson. Should resignation follow, it is very doubtful if the Opposition under the present position of affairs with an empty exchequer would car** to assume the ! reins of Government, and that the present Ministers would return to power within a week, or else a dissolution will occur and another general election. Wellington, 9. The Premier made a statement that the Government would agree to withdraw the tariff, exre.pt so far as those duties aMopted by th»* Cow. nit tee relating to spirits and wi'ies, l.i r^-ard to the local government bill, tiie Government would make i*£u*> u"> that Will a Ministerial question, with exception of the clauses referring to the borrow ing powers on subsidies, and fiv>* vra*s guarantee, in lieu of 25 years, which * provisions would be conceded. All the incM-ased duties paid suKseq i»nt to the 20th June are to l*e refunded. Chbistchubch 8. Heavy rain during the last few days lids caused rather severe floods at Kaiapoi, Bangiors, and in North Canterbury generally. The W^nnakaviri river has been hi heavy fresh, i and this morning the country around Kair.poi present a lanu ntaMe appearance. The low land in the town is submerged. Last uiglit'g train from Bangiora to Oxford could not get through. At noon to-day the water 1 1. id subsided sufficiently to allow the train to pass. The southern approach to the traffic bridge over the Ashby River is washed away, and several dwelling houses m the distnet south of Christchurcb, especially at Methvin, was also flooded, and traffic suspended on the Methvin — Rakaia railway. No very serious damage has been done at Timaru, but heavy rain continues to fall in many districts, and traffic is ; suspended. Most of the risers are in heavy flood, Itut so far no damage to . property is reported. ' Serious floods art anticipated if the weather does not improve. Auckland, 8. John Rnat;y, of Duuediu, has ac ' cepted Michael Maher's challenge to wrestle for £\")0 a-side, and the champio»*bip of Auckland. j The damage to the ship Grassmere ! by the gale is estimated at £150 to. j £200. j Welt.ingtov, 9. | AlJendaTe, cnnvfc'&l for the jewel- i lery roW»ery at Jeunis's. i=i May last, ! was sentenced yesterday to foor years penal servitude. I