§ MR. HAWESmoved for leave to bring in a Bill to make further provision for the government of the New Zealand Islands. The object of the measure, he said, was to establish a municipal and representative government in the Colony, thus carrying into effect the views of both the late and the present Government.
§ MR. GOULBURNdid not intend to offer any objection to leave being given to bring in the Bill, but must state, that unless some great emergency required it, he could not do otherwise than condemn the introduction of a constitutional measure of such importance at so late a period of the Session.
§ MR. C. BULLERobserved, that the present Bill was founded on one that had been bequeathed by the late Colonial Secretary. The right hon. Gentleman the Member for Cambridge seemed to think that there was no necessity for such a Bill as the present; but the right hon. Baronet lately at the head of the Government, was not when in office of that opinion; for he had stated most distinctly that he and his Colleagues would feel it to be their duty either to bring in some such measure as this before the Session closed, or else to introduce an enabling Bill. The plan of government for New Zealand which was proposed by the present Bill, was the one which appeared to Her Majesty's Ministers the most likely to be acceptable to that House, and beneficial to the Colony. The Bill proposed to establish the general outline of a constitution, leaving the details to be filled up by Orders in Council, which would be adopted after consultation with the best authorities on the subject.
§ Motion agreed to. Bill brought in and read a first time.
§ House adjourned at half-past Seven o'clock.