HC Deb 31 July 1877 vol 236 cc301-2

Clause 41 (Appointment of Presidents of Provinces).

MR. COURTNEY,

who had given Notice of an Amendment In page 8, line 7, after " officer," leave out to end, and insert " to be entitled the President of the said Province, and to be elected for such term as the Queen may direct by the electors for the time being entitled to elect members of the Legislature of the said province, said, he would not move it, as it was clear that all Amendments would be treated in the same way and be rejected without discussion.

Amendment moved, In page 8, line 8, after "direct," to insert " by and with the advice of the representative Council or Parliament of such province or dominion." —(Mr. O'Donnell.)

Amendment negatived.

Clause agreed to.

Clauses 42, 43, and 44, agreed to.

Provincial Councils.

Clause 45 (Council for each province.)

MR. O'DONNELL

moved three Amendments; in line 20, after "Council" insert " or Parliament; in line 21, after "and" insert "a House or two Houses of Legislature, and"; in line 21, after "Councillors" insert "or Councillors and Members of Assembly."

MR. J. LOWTHER

having intimated his willingness to accept these Amendments,

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

objected to the Amendments being accepted by the Government in order to avoid obstruction. The Amendments, and especially the second, would enable an Upper House to be set up in these Colonies.

MR. J. LOWTHER

said, that the Government were prepared to accept suggestions for improving the Bill from any quarter. The danger which the hon. Baronet feared was a imaginary one, the Amendments merely having reference to the issuing of Orders in Council.

Amendments agreed to.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.