The Express.
London, England, 1849-07-05 00:00:00

AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL.

reply to Mr. Roam:co,
Mr.llA WEI said that the Australian Colonies Bill, should
it be pawed by the imperial parliament, would come into
operation upon its beiag proslamied in New Ssuth Wales.
The new caony of Victoria would doubtless accept it, or
otherwise that colony would be without any government at all
when separated from New South Wales; and although Van
Di men's Land akin refuse the bill, he hill every reason to
believe that it would be adopted there als
HIGHWAYS (DISTRICT SURVEYORS) BILL.
Mr. FREWIIN having moved the second reading of this
bill,
Sir G. STRICKLAND protested against the measure, as
involving a great addition to the present oppressive county
rating, without any adequate compensation. Ile moved that
the bill be read a second that day six months.
Mr. RICE said that the present system was moat ineE.
Meat to good, sad replete with jobbing and abuv. He mid
have desired a still more stringent and extensive measure
than the present, but be was ready to accept the bill
before tee h .use sea 'Up in the right direction.
Sir J. TROLLOPE desired that a comprehensive cusped-
easy 111114411116, applicable to the whole country, should be in-
troduced under the auspices of government, rather than that
this partial sad merely permissive bill should be proceeded
with. He should therefore support the amendment.

Lord H. VANE elm supported the proposition that this
bill should be withdrawn, in order to make way for • more
general measure.
Mr. C. LEWIS concurred, while quite approving of the
principle of the bill, so far as it went ; he also thought it
would be better to have a large and general enactment on
the whole subject. The expenditure on highways was
nearly two millions a year, an expenditure which called for
the closest and most skilful supersition. (Hear.)
-

Mr. B. DENISON. entirely agreed with the last speaker
that the principle of the bill was good, ar d that it was ab-
solutely esesatial some such measure should be passed. But
the periA of the session was ro far advanced as to induce
him to think the bill could not be carried during the present
year, and he therefore naked the boo, member to withdraw
the bill.
Mr. T. EGERTON hoped that before the bill was with-
drawn some pledge would be given by the right hon, gentle-
man opposite (Sir G. Grey) that he would consent to some
comprehensive mounts respecting highway rates and local
apeaditure.
Sir G. GREY said that the very circumstance that a com-
prehensive measure was requisite corsituted one of the
chief ditlicultiee attending it. However, his hon. friend the
Under Secretary for the Home Department had charge of
the subject, and would at some future period state what his
views wore, when he hoped to meet with the concurrence of
hon. members opposite.

Mr. 001.:L110ItN thought that some legislative enact-
meet on the 'abject was indispensable.
Mr. V. SMITH was of opinion that if the government
did introduce a comprehensive measure, it would be pulled
to pied son all sides. Ile thought it better to deal with the
question of kcal expenditure in detail, and that the present
bill would be very advantageously beginning the reform. Ile
therefore recommended the n. member to persevere in
pressing the principle of the bill on the acceptance of the
house.
Mr. 0. BANK ES entirely concurred in the view taken by
the right boa. gentleman, and recommended his hon. friend
to miscue in pressing his bill to • division, it it were ne-
cessary.

Mr. li. PALMED. supported the principle of the bill,
though he did sot think it could peu thia cession.

Capt. HARRIS would certainly vote fer the second read-
ing of the bill. _ _

Mr. YREWEN said he was the last man in that house to
woes a measure egaint the common assent of hoc. members;
lost as to the lateness of the period at which he had intro-
duced the hill, he begged to say he could not do to earlier, as
the government was in poewwlen of the tiny, and it was °sly
urn the withdrawal the government bill that he multi
with propriey interfere, and then he was obliged to wait for
the first open day.

Mr. G. C. LEWIS said that the government would sop-
poet the seemad reading of the bill, on the understanding
*hit it would sot be pressed farther during the present ses-
sion. Ile agreed is the !multiple of the bill.
Sir G. STRICKLAND having withdrawn his amend-
seat, the bill was read a second time.