THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION BILLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 301, 19 September 1855, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION BILLS.

On the general subject ofthe Australian Constitutions tbe London correspondent of the Argus thus remarks:— When I wrote you a few days since, I alluded to the objections taken by Mr. Lowe to the passing of the Australian Constitution Bills in the form proposed, and two nights ago tbis opposition was renewed upon Lord John Russell's taking leave to introduce the bills. I believe 1 may assert, however, upon good authority, that although the Victoria Bill does not meet entirely ihe views of many friends of that colony, they have come to the conclusion that it would be unadvisable to delay the measure, and therefore they principally aim at the reduction of the enormous civil list framed at a period when the gold discoveries bad inflated tbe value of property, and increased the expense of living. This, nevertheless, is, I fear, precisely a point upon which it will he found very difficult to induce the Government to yield, since the cherished civil list and all its patronage forms an integral portion of tbe New Constitution, and, once adopted, there will be great difficulty in curtailing it. With respect" to the Victoria Bill, therefore, I believe I can assure you that it will pass, and I fear I must add without the required amendment; for although every exertion will be made by one or two active persons here to procure them, ihey are specially anxious not to make the affair one of party, in case the bill should be defeated altogether. The land bill has also been read a first lime. With Mr. Lowe, we have Mr. W. Williams, Mr. Duffy, and others; and ii is hoped that, at least for the purpose of cutting down the civil list, the support of Cobden and his friends, and perhaps of bir John Pakington and his followers, can be obtained. Were such 'co-operation secured,

perhaps Lord John Russell would concede; but if a direct onslaught be made, he will look upon it as a Ministerial question. It will be a rare feature in colonial history to see the home Parliament more disposed to save the pockets of the Australians than the local representatives were. Mr. Lowe has been advocating a select committee to frame fundamental laws for the whole group of the Australian colonies ; but I apprehend you have no such wish, as the peculiar circumstances of each require special arrangements. This I may affirm, however, and also upon authority, that whatever may be the consequences, either as defeating the measure, or embarrassing tbe ministers, the New South Wales Bill is to be opposed vi et armis. The principle of a nominated upper chamber is so contrary to the known wishes of the population at large, that it becomes a duty on the part of our liberal members to oppose every obstacle to its adoption. Since I wrote tbe above, I am informed by a gentleman who this morning had an interview with Sir John Pakington, that by agreement with Lord John Russell, the second reading is fixed for June 7th, and that the whole question of the Australian Constitution will be discussed at the same lime. I think tbis is to be regretted as the Victoria bill would stand much better by itself. As regards Sir John, he quite concurs in the view taken by some of your most enlightened colonists here, respecting the anomalies even in the Victoria bill, and promises to use his influence to get them amended. The Waste Lands (Australia) Acts Repeal Bill is before me, and seems to be rather a crude production. Tbe act takes effect !in Victoria and New South Wales after the Constitution bills are passed, and disturbs no existing contracts.