HC Deb 28 July 1851 vol 118 cc1635-7

Order for Second Reading, read.

MR. HAWES,

in moving the Second Reading of the Bill, said that the settlers had intrusted their representatives here with the mode of distributing the Nelson fund, so that no objection could be made as to this part of the measure. The Bill was rendered necessary in consequence of doubts having arisen whether the New Zealand Company had not exceeded their powers. It might be said, indeed, that all the settlers ought to be consulted as to the transfer of the land, but this was scarcely practicable; any other objections to be urged against the Bill would be best brought forward in Committee. He trusted they would allow the Bill to pass the second reading now.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

MR. BROTHERTON

moved the House should adjourn. The Motion would lead to discussion, and it was understood no opposed Motions should be taken after twelve o'clock.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that he must confess that the Bill was not on a sufficiently broad basis to satisfy him. If it was doubted whether the New Zealand Company had not exceeded their powers, the proper thing to do would be to bring in a Bill to ratify what the Company had done. It was plain the question was one on which the settlers ought to be consulted; but they had not had the smallest opportunity of stating their views, and were not aware that the House was going to alter the terms of purchase. He objected particularly to the first two Clauses of the Bill. He also protested against the attempt to press a measure to destroy the minimum price of land in the colony, within nine days of the prorogation of Parliament, and without the knowledge of the colonists.

MR. VERNON SMITH

said, no reason had been given why this Bill should be passed during the present Session. He objected to this bit-by-bit legislation for New Zealand, when it was notorious that it would be necessary to bring forward other measures next Session.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, the objection of the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Gladstone) was directed against the first two Clauses of the Bill, which might be considered hereafter. The rest of the Bill applied to the Nelson settlement, and it was desirable for the sake of those colonists that the Bill should be passed. He therefore trusted the House would consent to the second reading.

MR. ADDERLEY

wished to know whether the right hon. Gentleman intended that the two Clauses should be omitted, or whether he wished the second reading to be taken on the supposition that they should be discussed in Committee. If the right hon. Gentleman intended the principle of the Bill to be discussed in Committee, he (Mr. Adderley) should oppose the second reading. The hon. Gentleman (Mr. Hawes) had intimated that no alteration would take place without the consent of the colonists. It would, however, take some time to obtain that consent, and he greatly objected to placing this power in the hands of the Government until it should be obtained. It was unfair at this period of the Session to press forward such a measure—to smuggle it through Parliament, and he could not consent to hand such a power over to the Government.

MR. AGLIONBY

begged to assure the House that the New Zealand Company had no interest in this Bill. He thought the Government had been unfairly treated, and trusted that they would not withdraw the Clauses referred to, which would confer a material benefit on the colonists.

Motion made, and Question put, "That this House do now adjourn."

The House divided:—Ayes 3; Noes 51: Majority 48.

Question again proposed.

MR. ADDERLEY

moved that the debate be now adjourned.

MR. HAWES

hoped the hon. Member would not persist in his Motion. The Bill was not objected to, except the two Clauses referred to by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the University of Oxford (Mr. Gladstone), and the Government were willing to modify those Clauses.

MR. GLADSTONE

said, he was unwilling to stop the progress of business in the House, and, therefore, he had voted against the adjournment. In the hope, therefore, that Government would give some further information than they had yet afforded with regard to the Bill, he would not oppose the second reading.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, if hon. Gentlemen would allow the Bill to be read a second time, he would communicate with his noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies early in the morning, and state his views respecting these Clauses to-morrow. It would be a pity if that part of the Bill to which there was no objection were retarded.

MR. ADDERLEY

said, that the proper time for the right hon. Gentleman to make any such statement was on the Motion for the second reading. He should therefore persist in moving the adjournment of the debate.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."

The House divided:—Ayes 17; Noes 34: Majority 17.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read 2°.

Notice taken that Forty Members were not present; House counted, and Forty Members not being present,

The House was adjourned at half after Two of the clock.