Legislative Council.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 3, Issue 105, 19 April 1845, Page 2

Legislative Council.

Seene — Council Chamber. Earl of Surrey. May it please Your Grace, — King Henry No, sir, it does not please me. I thought, I had men of some understanding And wisdom, of my Council ; but find none. Shakespeare. {King Henry VIII.) Our readers ■will perceive that the pro-ceediiag-s of tne Legislative Council do not appear in our columns, as with the former detailed report of the speeches of the members — the report is merely a reprint of the Minutes of Council. In truth, we have ceased to attend the sittings of the Council ; for now, that the Appropriation Bill is determined, and the fate of the Property Rate Amendment, and of the Licensed Dealers Ordinances, is decided, there is little that can arise interesting to the public, and we think our time can be more usefully — we are certain far more pleasur* ably — employed. It is a complete delusion to imagine, that popular opinion has the least influence, I or that the non-official members, supposed to represent the people, have the slightest weight in determining any question or Ordinance forougnt before the Council. If tliero did exist the least doubt, as to -this fact, we think that the proceedings on repealing the Property Rate Ordinance and ' re-enacting the Customs, would settle such doubt. The Legislative Council is merely an assembly to fulfil the dictates of the Governor, first promulgated to the Executive Council, and to give to such measures the outward form and appearance of being the fruits of deliberate popular legislation, rather than emanating from an absolute uncontrollable authority. On all questions and measures, the Governor is the sole ar3

■liter. Any discussion, raised by non-official ■Members, however well supported by facts ■;fld arguments, and recorded by their uuiff e d votes on division, is of no avail, unless n't may suit the views of the Governor to Bjjake use of tho opposition, as a means by ttrliich he can carry out certain purposes ■of his own. 9 His Excellency presides at the Council, ■and, during this session, has not only fulIfUed his own part, but performed all the ■duties of the Colonial Secretary ; for he Ls laid on the table, and explained fully, ■lie reasons for, and intent of, every Ordinance proposed to be enacted. His Excel■lency is an excellent speaker, with much ■telf-possession — clear and terse in his ex■planations on every subject — ready to re■ply, evincing much practice in senatorial ■debates, — and, when not excited by oppo■jition, most bland and courteous in his ■manner and bearing. ■ The Colonial Secretary, we consider, ■ought to take the lead in the Legislative ■Council, for he is Lord Stanley's real de■(Jaty. — The Governor presiding, as Representative of Her Majesty. This officer, ■ irlio is in fact Secretary of State for this ■ Colony, — should be a man of ability and ■ enlarged views, well acquainted with Colo- ■ nial statistics, well informed on all general ■ topics, capable of relieving the Governor] ■ from all minor details of administration j of Government, and perfectly qualified, as speaker and politician, to conduct the whole j business of the Legislative Council. Such is our idea of what the Colonial Secretary of this most important Colony ought to be. After constant attendance at the LegisIlative Council during this session, we can safely declare that the present Colonial Secretary is not such a man. i —He scarcely ever speaks but when I reminded by His Excellency, and then with hesitating tautology in unconnected sentences, gives the same opinions which he has heard His Excellency clearly and ably express but a few seconds previously. Of his ability and enlarged views as a legislator, we only recall, as an instance, his proposed amendment on passing the Appropriation Bill — to leave out, in the second clause, controulling the payments by the Colonial Treasurer, the words "not exceeding," — which are the very essence of^the Ordinance, and without which it would have been a mere nullity : — it required the reasoning and arguments of all the other five members, besides lengthened explanations by the Governor himself, to enlighten the Colonial Secretary, sufficiently, to induce him to withdraw his amendment. The Attorney-General proves himself of high education and cultivated talent. He is exceedingly clear in his arrangement of argument ; puts his points with much force and ability, and speaks fluently in most excellent language. He evinces a manly spirit and independence of opinion, which renders it great pleasure to hear him on any subject of interest. If the Colonial Treasurer does not often speak, he displays no want of common sense, when he does offer his opinion to the Council. His official situation does not require that he should take an active part in. the debates or business of the Council. He attends solely to support the Governor by the weight of his vote when required. The non-official members are truly deserving of the highest praise, as well as of the grateful acknowledgments of the settlers ; for they have certainly done their duty, — and most unsatisfactory — unthankful duty must it be, knowing that all their efforts will be of no avail. On the discussion of the Appropriation Bill, they made a most determined stand on many clauses, by their tenacious perseverance in opposition to the various excessive and unnecessary salaries. With little more tact, with concerted Union of action, and a proper understanding as to the course of their proceedings during debate, the present non-official members would soon become a most perplexing harassing opposition, although powerless. But we should very much doubt, whether these present independent members will be induced to give their time and attention during another session, convinced as they must be, that however patriotic their intentions, — however zealous their endeavours, — however just their arguments, — and however conclusive their evidences, to curtail unnecessary expenditure, and to promote the real welfare and prosperity of the Colony — all are useless.