To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 5, Issue 278, 14 June 1865, Page 2

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir,—lt is a pity that the proceedings of the Provincial Council are not conducted more strictly in accordance with the rules of the House of Commons, as they profess to be by the first standing order. After the speech, on the Opening of the Imperial parliament, has been delivered, and a copy handed to the Speaker, the rule is for the house to adjourn to a later hour of the day, and, when it resumes, for the Government to provide members to move a reply. Usually, when the junior members are iuthe interest of the Government, this duty is confined to them, as a means whereby they may establish a repute for themselves; but there is no rule binding them to accept such a duty, or to debar the Government from selecting any other members to discharge it, if this course be more expedienthut whoever does it, one course is incumbent on the Government to follow, that is —to take the initiative. If no reply he sent, the omission of one can only he received. either as an act of discourtesy or as a direct condemnation of the Government, whose propositions and views, as set .forth in the address, are thus treated with silent contempt. Moreover, the members who are to move the reply, are always furnished with copies of the address, previous to its del very within the walls of the house*.

It need hardly be said that the Government are not likely to have followed this course with the members who are the juniors in the Provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay. I am, &c., J. M. STUAET. 13th June.