7

A deputation from the Legislative Council was announced. The Honorable F. Whitaker, Esq., informed Mr. Speaker that the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Council would be kept open during the recess, for reference to papers and documents. The Honorable T. H. Bartley, Esq., presented the Appropriation Bill with amendments. The Honorable Major Kenny read and presented to Mr. Speaker the following Memorandum and Extract from the Journals of the Legislative Council. 1. That the honorable member bearing the Message, with the Appropriation Bill, inform the House of Representatives that the detailed Estimates have not accompanied that Bill and that whatever course may be hereafter followed in reference to supply Bills, whether called upon either wholly to accept, or wholly to reject; the Legislative Council is desirous it should be understood that the course now taken is not to be considered as a precedent. 2. That under these circumstances, the Legislative Council have agreed with extreme reluctance to an Act which places large sums of money at the absolute disposal of the Executive Government, the particular mode of appropriating those sums not having been prescribed by the Act. Extract from the Journals of the Legislative Council, 15th Sept. 1854. Resolved, — 1. That as the Bill for appropriating the Public Revenues was not introduced into the Legislative Council until the 15th September, and as the Assembly is to be prorogued on the 16th instant, this Council has no alternative but either wholly to reject the Bill, or to agree to it in the form in which it has been transmitted to thein by the House of Representatives. 2. That in consenting to pass the Appropriation Bill for 1854-5, without alteration of any of the sums voted by the House of Representatives. The Legislative Council have regard solely to the maintenance of the Civil Establishments of the Colony, and desire in no way to prejudice any right to alter or amend the Annual Appropriation Bill, or any other measure for raising or disposing of the Public Revenues. 3. That although the Act for granting a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand, contains no provisions for limiting or restricting the power of the Legislative Council to alter or ameud any Legislative measures whatever, which may be submitted for their consideration, the question has nevertheless been raised whether the Legislative Council would be justified in making any alteration in a measure of supply; or whether by analogy to the British Constitution, the Legislative Council of New Zealand must not either wholly accept or wholly reject every such measure. 4. That ia order to avoid the evils which would result from any conflict of opinion between two of the branches of the General Assembly as to the nature and extent of their respective Constitutional rights, all doubt upon the subject should be at once and authoritatively set at rest: and that with a view to that object, His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government be respectfully moved to bring the question under the consideration of Her Majesty's Imperial Government. 5. That a copy of the preceding Resolutions in reference to the right of the Legislative Council in respect of measures of supply, be forwarded to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, and that His Excellency's attention thereto be respectfully requested. (True extract,) Jas. John Piercy, Clerk. The deputation then withdrew. Debate ensued on the subject of the amendments to the Appropriation Bill. On motion of Mr. Sewell, a conference with the Legislative Council was requested;—the following members to be Managers of the Committee of Conference, viz :—Messrs. Fitzgerald, Monro, Travers, and Sewell. On the return of the Committee Mr. Sewell reported that the Committee of Conference had agreed to amendments in the Appropriation Bill. Amendments to the Bill adopted by the House, —Mr. Hart and Mr. Picard deputed to notify the same to the Legislative Council. Consideration of Dr. Monro's Rcsolvtions on the subject of the New Zealand Company's Debt resumed. Resolution No. 6 adopted. Resolution No. 7 withdrawn. Remaining Resolutions adopted.