3

Whilst the House thankfully acknowledges the desire expressed by your Excellency to give effect to the principle of Ministerial Responsibility in the conduct of Legislative and Executive affairs, it cannot refrain from expressing its regret that your Excellency should have deemed yourself to be in such a position as to be unable to concede its immediate and complete establishment. During the necessary interval which must elapse before this object can be attained, this House ventures to submit to your Excellency its deliberate judgment, that such a partial application of the principle as is proposed by your Excellency will fail in its object, and be attended with detriment to the public service. A mixed Executive, as now constituted, composed in part of irresponsible officers, and in part of members drawn from a small minority of this House—a Ministry constructed on a delusive theory of representation of Provincial interests—is a form of Government in which the House declares its absolute want of confidence. During the interval of suspense which we fear is inevitable before the establishment of Ministerial Responsibility, this House reluctantly expresses its opinion that the Executive Government of the Colony should be continued as formerly, under the exclusive management of those public officers who at present derive their authority from, and are responsible to her Majesty. This House has already conveyed to your Excellency its opinion as to the expediency of such a change ; but, as a choice of evils, it deems it best to submit for a short space .of time to that alternative. This House is ready to grant supplies to a Government conducted by the old Executive officers, and it humbly prays your Excellency to lay before it the necessary estimates at the earliest possible moment. Further, this House begs to assure your Excellency that it will devote the small space of time during which it is possible for members to remain together, to the work of forwarding such Legislative measures as are of the most urgent importance, and as can be passed through the requisite stages within the allotted time; and, under the pressure of existing circumstances, it will by ail means in its power facilitate the passage of such public business. Mr. Forsaith moved, seconded by Mr. Cargill, that the House resolve itself into a committee of the whole, for the consideration of his proposed Address. Dr. Monro opposed the motion. Mr. Forsaith with leave of the House withdrew his motion. The House then proceeded to the consideration of Mr. Forsaith's Address. Dr. Monro as an amendment then moved the adoption of the Address which he had read. Debate ensued. Question put that the whole of the words proposed to be omitted, do stand part of the question. House divided. Ates, 10 : Noes, 21: Messrs. Macandrew, Messrs. Ivelham, Forsaith, Featherston, Cargill, Brown, E. G. Wakefield, Revans, E. J. Wakefield, Bacot, J. Maekay, Fitzgerald, O'Neill, King, Lee, Wortley, Merriman, Taylor, Travers (teller). Ludlam, Cutten, Gray, Moorhouse, Weld, Rhodes, Hart, Sewell, Carleton, Picard, Gledhill, Monro, Crompton (teller) Motion made and question put: that the Address proposed as an amendment be substituted. Carried.—Address as amended adopted.