PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3490, 30 April 1874, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

This Day. The Speaker took the chair at two o’clock, A number of notices of question and motion were given, after which The Provincial Secretary said : Before proceeding to the business on the order I wish to make a few remarks to the Council upon the subject of the resignation of the Executive, which is announced in the paper this morning. I have to state that that announcement is correct. I last evening tendered to his Honor the Superintendent the resignation of the present Executive, and I believe his Honor is at present taking steps to endeavor to get another Government to replace ua._ I may briefly state that the reasons which caused us to take this step are First and mainly, I find that my own time is so tied up with my private affairs that I am unable to devote a fair portion of it to the exercise in a proper and satisfactory manner of my duty as Provincial Secretary and Treasure. I find to carry out properly, the duties of head of the Government it re quires a very great deal of time, and that unless a great deal of time is devoted to them it is impossible to exercise a proper control over the various matters which the Executive have always under consideration. This is one reason, and the main one. The other is that there were certain differences of opinion amongst the members of the present Executive in regard to the ad ministration of public affairs. There is another which has partly guided us in coming to this conclusion. We think that the offices, as at present formed—for which we are responsible—are not exactly in the best shape to carry on th© business of the country. The majority of us think the Secretary for Goldfields and the Secretary for Public Works should be distinct offices. I admit—and I have to say that since last year my opinion on that point has altered—and I desire most distinctly to repudiate the idea of saying anything derogatory to my friend who has carried on the duties of these two departments, for I think he has displayed a great degd of activity and ability, and could do it as well as anybody could. Under these circumstances, some months ago we came to the conclusion to resign, and I was personally desirous of doing it then, but the Secretary for Lands and Mr Shand strongly urged upon me the prospriety of continuing on until the Council met. I acceded to that step and reflection has led me to believe the advice was sound. I think it would have been not very fair to the members of the Council, to his Honor the Superintendent, or to the country itself to.have resigned during the recess, as the probability of that step would be in a great measure to lead to the serious inconvenience of public, business I have nothing more to say except that when I tendered my resignation I did not indicate any individual who should be sent for. We are not; going out on any adverse vote of the Council, but simply nnder the circumstances X have narrated. I have desired to leave his Honor not trammelled in any way by any recommendation. At the sam 6' time I take this opportunity of expressing the hope that any new Executive that may be formed may, to a large extent, command the respect and confidence of both sides of the House. I believe that tbe majority of the Council now entertain views and opinions, which are very much at one in regard to the great question of settlement on the land. Therefore, I should be pleased to see an Executive be formed to replace us, who would Com tnand the confidence of both sides—(Hear.) I think old sides should be abolished, a-nd that practical men should carry on tbe business of the country without party warfaro. Of course, there must always neces* sarily be two sides to a question, but I am save if we agree to bury the hatchet, as it is called, and both sides evince the same desire for effective and efficient work there ought not to be any difficulty, and that business may proceed. I state that all papers are in a’state of forwardness, and I will be happy to afford our successors every assistance in proceeding with the business. In order to give any hon. member an opportunity of making any remarks, I will pro forma move the adjournment of tl\e Hansel 1 Mr Fish did not the silence of was a, sign of relief at the reaignation »f Government who were appointed to carry opt the business of tJm'Cqunoil forth© past twelve mouths j but it was a most extraordinary course for them to come forward the second day of the Council toresign, as it prevented the opportunity of criticising their acts. It was a bad precedent for future Governments, for although the acta of the Executive would be fairly criticised after they had resigned—the members could hardly be considered responsible. It had been said that for a long time the members of the Executive had been at loggerheads, and it would have h&n' better for them to 3pve resigned during the year The . m °sfc ; honorable course would have been for , the chief: of the Executive to halve thrown up his position. Such a course had in times

past been adopted inconvenience. His feeling at the course taken was one of disgust and disappointment. The party that placed them in office bad been sold, and were in the unfortunate position of having no men capable of taking the lead in political liie. He agreed that party feeling was not rife, as there was little difference of opinion with regard to the administration of land laws or of public works. So that good might result from what appeared to be a ridiculous position. The Provincial Secretary, by leave, withdrew his motion. a ® TOUT move d, ‘"That a respectful Address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to take such steps as will secure to every Government one day's cessation from work in the seven.” Mr Bastings stated that some time since he had given instructions to the head of the railway department that all employes should be entitled to one day in the week to themselves if they worked on Sundays, or they obtained a week’s holiday at a time. Mr Allen and Dr Menzies opposed the motion, as authorising, by a side-wind, Sunday traffic on the railways, ' The previous question, which shelves the resolution, was carried by 16 to 11.