Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1872. " MEASURES, NQT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 242, 19 September 1872, Page 7

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER & ADVERTISER. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1872. " MEASURES, NQT MEN."

The Gold Mining. Bill introduced f^by Mt. Gisborne has, we are glad to say, been shelved. Next session, Mr. Stafford promises to introduce a new measure, and also promises that it shall be circulated throughout the country before being submitted to the Legislature. To make such a sweeping alteration in the law as was intended by Mr. Gisborne's infamous bill, without giving those affected an opportunity of expressing their opinions upon the proposed changes, savors more of the action of a despot than of the ' Government of a democratic coun- j try. The occasion alluded to is not I the first in which such a reprehensible course has been pursued, with injury to the public interests. We are of opiuion that the General Assembly is too fond of rushing bills on important subjects through, and that ~an alteration in this respect is imperatively necessary. When any important subject is dealt with — when any alterations are to be effected in the laws— the ! Legislature has no right to hastily act . The people ought first to be permitted tostatethier opinion when any action of the kind is contemplated. We may mention that we nave not received a copy of a single bill introduced to the General Assembly during the present session, although many important ones have been brought forward, consequently. we are unable to keep our readers jpiosted-up in the progress of legislation. Our contemporaries,- we believe, have been similarly treated. It" is absolutely essential that the general public should Jiave as much, and as early information as possible, regarding'the actions of Parliament, andrthe best .way to secure that end fejijr ty* Government forwarding to t^e^attoas/iiewspapers in the colony 1 copies of measures about to be inttp%ce& The Gold ' Mining Bill haft passed its second reading before lujjff inkling of. its provisions had lea^f^^goldfields of Qtago, and Ibe^'cdjpiea that were r,eeeiv'e4 . were

forwarded privately from Wellington, While giving every credit to hon.meia3lb.ers for care in looking after the interests of their, constituents, we think, sha£. jbhey would jiot be less attentive if ' the means of ascertaining what they were doing were placed within the reach of the various constituencies, through the- medium Press. As the Gold Mining Bill has been consigned to the waste paper basket, it is not worth while to say anything further about it ; but we do hope, for the credit of the colony, that a similar attempt to rush a measure of such importance through the House will never again be made, and that in every case 1 important bills will be forwarded as early as possible to the Press.