Provincial Councils Bill.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 547, 12 July 1851, Page 3

Provincial Councils Bill.

The debate on the second reading of this Bill, which took place on the 18th of June, leally is likely to occupy a place in our colonial history, on account of the — shall we say collision ? — which took place between Lieu-tenant-Governor Evrf, and His Excellency the GrovERNOR-iN-CnirF. We have already copied in extenso the Speeches of their Excellencies ; but we now complete the Report of the^'debate, so far as it is given in the Independent of the 2 1st ultimo (for we have not received the Spectator of that date). The Attorney-General for New Zealand (Mr. Swainson) having moved the second reading in a speech -which the Independent characterises as " long and exceedingly able," but no report of which, we regret to say, has reached us, Lieutenant- Governor Eyre seconded the motion in the speech which we published on Saturday last, and to which we this day refer in another place. Upon this, the Hon. Mr. Dillon, Mr. Cautley and Mr. Bell severally spoke as follows : — The Hon. Mr. Dn con was opposed to the division of the Colony into Provinces. Such a plan was cumberous and expensive. It led to a number of offices which it would be well to dispense with. He would accept the 33 i1l with all its imperfections, as by it tlie opinions of the people might be got at, which was not the case now. Mr. Cautlfy. — No class of persons would support Piovinci.il Councils except those who lived in the towns where they were held. lie could not anogate to himself the title of being the repiesentative of the Nelson Settlement, but he knew that the people were almost unanimous in favour of Municipal Institutions. ! Mr. Blm- thought it was the duty of every member ;of the Council not to give a silent vote. A measure of j such vast importance requited to be carefully considered. He should have entertained the strongest objection to some provisions in the measure, if lip had not been convinced that the British Parliament would not give them one of so hlieial a chaiacter. He thought that in this colony, which had so large a coast line, these Provincial Councils would be very expensive. An undefined number of Councils would be established, but after all a central place in the islands would at last be decided on as the seat of Government. He entered his decided objection to Nomineeism. The Crown ought to be lepresented. It should have a voice in the Legislature, but it should be a responsible one. He had no objection to one-third or one-half of the members of the Council being Nominees of the Ciown, provided the power was accompanied by oflicwil lesponsibility. It would not be in the power of the Council to legislate against the Native race, as this power was expiessly limited. The power of the Governor was sufficient to protect the Native population, Nomineeism had received so large a share of disapprobation, that it could never again woik in this colony. lie would oppose any restrictions as regarded the qualification for an elector. He was in favour of Universal Suffrage, but he had no hope of carrying an amendment to that elrect in the present Council. The measure, on the whole, was one of the most libeial kind. Sir George Grey then delivered the Speech with reference to Mr. Eyre's strictures, which also appeared in our columns on Saturday. After which, Mr. Petre said in reference to what bad fallen from the Lieutenant-Governor, he denied the doctrine laid down, that every member of the Executive Government was bound to support the Government. For bis own part, whether in the Executive or Legislative Council lie would give his conscientious and unbiassed opinions. He would defer his remarks upon this Bill until it was discussed in Committe — but would observe that he was strongly opposed to the introduction into Council of any Nominees. The Coloniu., Slcretauy of New Zealand expressed his sincere approval of the measure, declaring that it was a link in a chain. Mr. Eyre then made the further observations which we published, and the AttorneyGeneral of New Zealand, said, I lise merely to maintain the right of the proposer of a measure to reply, but I do not intend to avail myself of that right, as I conceive any further observations are altogether unnecesjaiy. I have simply to congratulate his Excellency the Governor-m-Chief upon the very cordial approval which has been expressed of this Bill, and also to congratulate myself upon having assisted in di awing up and framing a measure which Las met with such geneial acceptance. The second reading was then " carried unanimously. " We may note that, on a former day, Sir George Grey presented a Memorial signed by three persons on behalf of a public meeting at Nelson for extending the franchise, and praying that the word " tenement" should be substituted for " dwelling house," as many of the houses in that setllement were so bad as not to come within the description of the Act, — the petition was ordered to be printed.