The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 408, 1 October 1856, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, October Xst.> Whatever ■ may have been the'laches of the Legislative Council, —or upper House, in the General Assembly, we owe that body a debt, of gratitude for the report of the Committee on Provincial laws, which we published last Saturday. That devoted Committee examined and reported upon two hundred and eighteen Provincial laws, passed since the Constitution Act came into force! It is difficult to say which would be the most melancholy subject of reflection to the philanthropist, the thought that Two Hundred and Eighteen Provincial laws had been passed in three years, or the thought that the gallant volunteers of the Legislative Council had been doomed to wade through such a mass of contradictory crudities. What a prospect for the future of New Zealand! If 218 Provincial laws are enacted in three years, how many may be enacted in fifty years ? This is a rule-of-three sum which produces a very unpleasant answer. If to Provincial 'Ordinances be added the Acts of the General Assembly, the boldness of those who may hereafter undertake the office of Attorney Gene:-%L will be fully appreciated. ; * We have been in the habit of looking upon this province as sufficiently troubled by the number of the local Ordinances; but we are glad to find that Canterbury has not committed itself by the grosser extravagancies that disfigure some of the legislation of our sister communities. It is to be^ hoped that the good sense of our Council will confine their exertions more every year to subjects of practical local interest. The whole of the report, which bears the appearance of having been drawn up with great care, deserves,and probably will receive the attentive consideration of the members of the different Provincial Councils of the Colony. We would especially draw attention to the following remarks with which it concludes. Before concluding this report, your Committee would make a remark as ;to the maimer in which the Provincial Ordinances appear likely to affect tile Legislation of "the Colony as a whole, the truth of which has, during the course of the investigation, irresistibly impressed itself upon theirmunds. The convicting nature of the Ordinances, the partial character of thc-ir operation, and the general * feelisg. which seems to exist .as to their force and validity, are all circumstances which, iv the opinion oi your Committee, inevitably tend, not only to creat_ e.yheutmost confusion: and uncertainty in the administration, of the law, but also appear calculated tobiing all law whatever into contempt, by doing away those feelings of security and reliance which are so essential to the good'' government of the Colony.