SECOND READING. (Hansard, 18 July 1870)

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY
, in moving that the Bill be now read the second time, said, that its object was to make further provision for the government of the Colony of British Columbia, which was one of the youngest of our Colonies, and which was somewhat peculiarly situated, owing to the nature of its population, who were for the most part engaged in gold digging. It would be remembered that in 1866 Vancouver Island was united to British Columbia, and made subject to the Legislature of that Colony, which was increased in number, so as to provide for the representation of Vancouver Island. The Council of the Colony at present consisted of five Government officers, of eight councillors nominated by the Governor, and of nine others, who were considered unofficial members, who also had to be nominated by the Governor, but who, practically, were elected by the colonists. The practice, however, was not in accordance with the law; and while Her Majesty's Ministers did not think the Colony was in a position for the establishment of what was called responsible 394 government, they thought it was desirable that she should have a new Constitution, enabling the inhabitants to take a large part in the transaction of their own affairs. It was proposed, therefore, by the Bill that Her Majesty should, by means of an Order in Council, constitute a Legislature, consisting of the Governor and a Legislative Council—in fact, should give to the Colony a new Constitution. The new Council should consist of six Members appointed by the Governor, and nine to be elected by the people. Her Majesty was also empowered to delegate certain powers to the Governor, enabling him, by his proclamation, to determine the qualification of electors and elective members, to divide the Colony into convenient elective districts, to appoint returning officers, issue writs, to take the poll, and determine the validity of all disputed returns; and, generally, to see to the orderly conduct of the elections.

§ LORD LYVEDEN
pointed out that the Bill would commit entirely to the hands of the Governor the power of controlling every step in the formation of the representative assembly, from determining the franchise of the electors, to the validity of the return of the elected. That he regarded as a great power to intrust to a man who was not in the highest order of colonial Governors. British Columbia was a most important Colony, and it would, in his opinion, have been more constitutional and statesmanlike to leave these details to be worked out in the same manner as had been done in previous cases, instead of deviating from the usual practice by putting them entirely under the control of the Governor.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY
explained that the change proposed by the Bill was by no means a large one. It would simply legalize a state of things which already existed in practice.