MR MACANDREW’S RESOLUTIONS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 328, 30 November 1865, Page 1

MR MACANDREW’S RESOLUTIONS.

The following is the copy of a series of resolutions, referred to by Mr Colenso at the late public meeting, as being brought before the House of Representatives on the 25th of October, but the consideration of which, owing to their great importance, was deferred till next session :

In order to the more economical administration of the Government, and the preservation of the unity of the Colony, it is expedient: (1.) That the “ New Provinces Act, 1858,” be repealed, and those Provinces which have been dismembered by said Act be restored to their original limits.

(2.) That the Province of Taranaki be abolished, and the territory therein comprised be added to the Province of Auckland.

(3.) That the Chief Executive Departments of the General Government be reduced to three —to wit: the Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, and Attorney-General, and that the PostmasterGeneral, Native Minister, and Defence Minister be dispensed with. (4.) That the administration of Native affairs within the various Provinces and the future charges connected therewith be delegated to, and borne by, the Provincial Government of such Provinces respectively; and that all lands heretofore, or which may be hereafter confiscated, shall be administered by and for the benefit of the Province within which suchlands may be situated.

(5.) That the legislation of the General Assembly be confined strictly to the purposes specified iu the 13th section of the New Zealand Constitution Act.

(6.) That all public revenue from whatever source derived, shall ho held to be the revenue of the Province within which it accrues.

(7.) That the whole of the past liabilities of the Colony be a first charge upon the revenues of the Provinces of the Middle Island ; tk© annual amount of interest and sinking fund payable by each Province to bear the same proportion to the annual gross revenue of such Province as does the aggregate annual amount of the Customs revenue of the whole to the total annual amount which may be payable in respect of such interest and sinking fund: Provided always, that so soon as Her Majesty’s authority shall have been firmly established througout the Northern Island, and the Queen’s writ can be freely enforced among the aboriginal Natives, then, and in that case, the Northern Island Provinces shall become parties, along with those of the Middle Island, to the further extinguishment of the said interest and sinking fund, and in the proportion hereinbefore specified.

(8.) That each Province in the Colony shall contribute towards the maintenance of the General Government. Such contribution to bear the same proportion towards the gross annual Customs revenue of such Province as does the annual aggregate Customs revenue of the whole to the amount required for the maintainence of the General Government.

(9.) That the Executive functions of the General Government be confined to matters of purely federal concern, and the administration of those functions within the respective Provinces be delegated to the Provincial Governments of such Provinces to the utmost possible extent, and in so far as this can be effected without prejudice to the public service of the Colony as a whole: And provided always, that the Governor shall be empowered to cancel such delegation whensoever he may see fit so to do. (10.) That the foregoing resolutions be transmitted to His Excellency the Governor, together with a respectful Address, that he may be pleased to give the effect thereto by legislative enactment, or otherwise, as may be deemed necessary.