ENGLISH EXTRACTS. THE COLONIAL DEBATE. (From the Atlas, April 21.)

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 352, 8 September 1849, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS. THE COLONIAL DEBATE. (From the Atlas, April 21.)

The re-assembling of Parliament was the signal for another attack upon the department of government presided over by Earl Grey. Mr. Scott, the assailant on this occasion, departed however from the line usually taken of late by members of the opposition— by attacking the colonial system, rather than its administrator!. As raised by Mr. Scott, the question Is one legitimately open to public discussion, especially when the object teems to have been the substitution of a better system of colonial administration for that which now subsists, and not the mere gratiticatioa of party or personal animosity. Mr. Scott asked the House of Commons (on Monday) to appoint a select committee, to inquire into the financial and political relations between Groat Britain and her colonies, with a view to lessening the expense of those dependencies to the mother country, and, at the same time, to give more ■cope to the functions of the colonial legislatures. Such a motion was calculated to meet the view* of that very large class of persona who considered that the most oppressive portions of our naval and military eipendt--ture are occasioned by the colonies ; and who would to give thosa colonies the right of self-government, leaving to them also, mainly, the duty of ielf defence. Mr. Scott'a speech was copious, and it suffered from the same cause which afterwards led to the defeat of his motion— that the fisld it embraced U so wide as to preclude invsstigation or discussion within ordinary limits. Mr. Hawes ingeniously availed lumself of this defect as j the basis of his objection to Mr. Scott's proposal. The j enquiry demanded would altogether exceed the powers of any committee, and the result could only be in every way unsatisfactory. Therefore, on the mere ground of convenience, he called on the house not to agree to the motion ; but the honorable member availed himself of i the occasion to establish other ground* also* Iv a speech of considerable length, which fully displayed that ability and practical knowledge of details for which Mr. Hawes as an official member has become honorably distinguished, a* Under-Sec et*ry he to >k a review of the whole of our colonies distinguishing those which have and those which are to have self-governing institutions, from those not fitted for them. Out of fortythree colonies, twenty-five have a representative system, and two more, Australia and the Cape, are immediately to have them. Three of the whole number have full responsible government. As regards the general policy of our colonial system, Mr. Hawes sought to shift the responsibility from the Colonial Office to Parliament ; but in doing so, of course laid himself open to the ready answer, that Purliamr nt takes the initiative from the Colonial Office. Mr. Hawes by no means acquiesced in the complaints made by the Opposition, either against the system or its administration ; but he at once frankly admitted that there was a good reason for a wide and general inquiry. All he objected to was the attempt to commit so important a question to a committee. This line of defence enabled Mr. Hawes to secure the support of Mr. Gladstone on one side of the House, and of Sir William Molesworth, a staunch colonial reformer, on the other. The result was that Mr. Scott was defeated on a division by 81 Totes to 34. And to the great colonial question remains untouched, until Sir William Molesworth's motion shall come before the House. Mr. Hawes, it will be seen, by dechring in general terms in favour of an inquiry, has left the door open for himself hcresfter, whether in office or opposition.