ADJOURNED MEETING AT RICHMOND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 459, 21 December 1850, Page 170

ADJOURNED MEETING AT RICHMOND.

Proposition 6, was submitted — " 6. That every registered elector shall be eligible to be elected a member of both Houses." Mr. Harxnbss proposed as an amend* ment —

"That members should possess a freehold estate of not less than £50 value in the district for which they are returned."

Seconded by Mr. Kelling.

Mr. Nixon thought the qualification required by the amendment would not exclude any of the working classes who had been long settled in the colony, while it would prevent persons newly arrived gifted with a little flowery oratory from being returned.

Mr. Kearns was in favour of -a property qualification for members, but objected to the words " not less " in the amendment.

Mr. Cautley thought that in old countries no property qualification was needed, but here the case was otherwise, and he would therefore support the amendment.

Mr. Elliott saw no need for a property qualification for members, which was no test either of intelligence or fitness. Thought the electors might safely be left to exercise a free choice in the men they would select to legislate on their behalf.

Dr. Monro was opposed to a property qua* Irncation for members ; when such was enforced it was easy of evasion — the practice was but a ; .fiction. In Scotland there was no property qualification for members, and the plan was found to work well. \ Mr. W. M'Rak said that Scotch members of ISrliament must be men of property, otherwise they would be unable to attend to their duties in London, where they had to reside half the year. As it was proposed to pay the expenses of members of the New Zealand Parliament who resided at a distance from the seat of government, a member here need be posseneu of no property at all.

Amendment put and lost; the original proposition carried. "7. That certain civil officers of the Crown, not exceeding four, shall be necessarily ex efficio members of the Parliament, and that one at least of such ex offieio members-shall sit in each houseY provided always, that no such member shall have a seat in more than one house, ana that such ex offieio members, or any one of them, shall vacate his or their seats and office on a vote of want of confidence in such member or members being passed by two-thirds of the whole number of members of both Houses."

Mr. Saxton explained the reason for proposing to give seals in the Parliament to the heads of the principal departments of Government. It would afford a simple and ready channel of communication between the Government and the Parliament. ■ -, Dr. Monro questioned the simplicity of the plan, and would prefer seeing a thorough Responsible Government established.

Mr. Stafford concurred in the preference to a complete Responsible Government, but doubted whether at present the colony was ready for it. Out of the small body of 'members, the number able to give up their own pursuits and accept appointments I from the Government, on the uncertain tenure of commanding a majority of votes in the House, would be so few, that the choice of Executive officers would necessarily be greatly narrowed, for no one would be likely to accept such appointments unless residing at the fesr* of Government.

Mr. Elliott said it would always ~be desirable for the neads of departments to hart seats m one of the two Houses, as well here as in the British Parliament. There would be this difference however — in England, there were always certain boroughs where the Minister could get a colleague elected when required by circumstances; but in New Zealand, no constituency would be likely to suffer & man ta be thrust upon them by the mere wish, or to ■erve the convenience, of a Governor. Proposition carried. * "8. That the powers of the Colonial Parliament shall be absolute in all local matters."

Dr. Monro thought the proposition not sufficiently explicit, and inquired whether it* was intended to claim for the colony the control of the waste lands.

Mr. Saxton explained that this, as well as all the other propositions, had purposely been put into the fewest possible words, . and simply enunciated principles. There was'no wish to trench on the prerogatives of the Crown, which it was intended should hereafter be more* specifically stated, as had been done by Sir W. Moleswortb, in the draft Bill which he had submitted for a Constitution for the colonies, as well as by the authors of similar measures.

On some words of explanation being adqe^ to the clause, it was passed. " 9. That all Bills for raising and appropriating, the revenue of the Colony shall originate in the Lower House."

♦• 10. That the Parliament of New Zealand shall have power to repeal or alter any law in force within the said colony, including any of the jwo» visions of the Act proposed for the Governmlal of the Colony, provided that any such vote of the Colonial Parliament so repealing or altering the provisions of such last mentioned Act, must be passed by a majority of at least two-thirds of whole number of the numbers of each house." • These propositions were carried without par? Nsftilar discussion. . .- t

That no salaries of any officers of the Coitnial Government shall be reserved from the, control of thfi Parliament of New Zealand, except those of the Governor^, not/ ai already, recommended, paid from the Treasury of the Unite* Kingdom), and of the Judges/*' -' ' Carried, with the exception of the word*, "and of the judges." "12. That there 'ahall.be but one General -Executive, which shall be central." . i Mr. Elliott stated, that however desirable it might be to hare only one Executive, for the colony, he was apprehensive that the Native question in the North required special regard ; and that, on behalf of the Deputation, lie would suggest that the words, " for the Southern portion of the islands," be added to the proposition

after the word " Executive." This would meet the whole question. Proposition as amended passed. " 13. That to meet the requirements of the several settlements, the Governor, with the consent of the Parliament of New Zealand, shall have power to create Mnnicipal Corporations for each district, with power to enact laws of a purely local nature: such Corporations not to come into operation in any settlement except on a requisition of the majority of the electors in such settlement."

Carried.

Mr. Nixon on behalf of the meeting, thanked the Deputation for their attendance, and for the readiness and patience with which they had discussed so many important questions. Seconded by Mr. Batby. After a vote of thanks had been given to the Chairman,

Mr. Cautley introduced the subject of Sir George Grey's Bill, which he hoped to see accepted by the colonists, on the principle of getting in first a finger, with a view of getting in the whole hand hereafter.

Dr. Monro said " a bird in hand was worth two in the bush "—Sir George Grey's Bill was the bird in hand, which he would accept, and protest against its defects.

Mr. Stafford would not object to discuss the Bill at a proper time, but the business now in hand must first be got rid of. The meeting then broke up.