The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-07 00:00:00

INDIAN CIOV ERNUENT.

Os the mothin of Sir C. Woo.
The eiders of the day were postponed until after the
three lint notices of motion relative to India.

Sir C. WOOD, is oaring for lain to introduce bill to
assismi is ordain mopeds the soestitatios of Ow council
of Ikn Orsessrasmaral of India. and to authorise mak*

laws and regulatioes for the proidenalas d Feet 111
George sod Bombay, and for other parte el bee Mar-
jetty's Indian territories, observed that the miles
was one of the greeted possible importance to
oar Indian empire. After noticinv, by way of pre-
face, the difficulties encountered In legislating for India,
in the feeling of distrust sod antagonism among the
different races of its populatioa, distinct in hitbile, cha-
racter, and leinguage, and the dangers attending • rash
step, which dispOsed him, he said, to err, if he did err, on
the side of caution, he gave a history of the legislative
power in India from the Tear 1773. referring to the opinion
expressed by distinguished members of the civil service
on the working of the legislative system, and to the
changes made in recent time. in the composition of the
council. 'the Legislative Council, as at present con-
stituted, he said, bad failed, sod he procee.lal to con-
sider the notion/1 which prevailed in India as to the
remedy, nod the proposals made with that object, varying
from a transference of the power of legislation to the
executive government on the one hand—to a representative
sprtetu on the other. He then explained is detail the
measure he proposed to introduce, which nearly, he ob-
served, carried oil • scheme contsioed in a despetch of Lord
Gaming. arid which had been carefully considered and
approved by his council. Its main features were as in-
mesas of the number of members of the legislative body
—one half to be not members of the government, either
Europeans or natives, with power to pass law. and regula-
tioes for the whole of India. He proposed to give to
Madras suit Boicbay power to make laws and regulations on
load subjects only, ball the members of the trawled' of
each to consist in like manner of Europeans or natives not
is the service of the government. The CovmnorGeneral
would further be empowered to conetitate similar councils
in northwest proviocm, as well al is Mier provinces of
India, and power would be given to the Governor-General,
la Gam a amaraaacy, to act on his own authority.
Mr. H. SE ilttallt hoped that the right hoe,. gentleman
would sot press as the bill with too great rapidity, but would
mast the horse satileiont leisure t 3 examine its details.
He fully approved of the leading features of the measure—
the witablishment of local legislatures and the introduction
of independent members.
Colonel SYKES also approval of the 'establishment of
the local councils, which be thought would enable the
country to he governed with more regard to the wants and
feelings of the people. Certainly those feelings would re-
quire to be dealt with very carefully and tenderly, if we
wished to ensure a return of the loyalty which prevailed be-
fore the late mutiny. With reused to the land question,
two systems had already broken down- the ryotwarry, be-
cause the government Lail endeavoured to settle with every
Native annually ; and the other is consequence of the niis-
charms practice of Jolliet up old families. He oleo hoped
that the government would allow the house sulbcient time
to study the details of the bill.
Mr. DUNLOP said there were two interests which eepc•
dally required represeotation. the trade sad the agriculture
of ladle, and be believed that that would be best aidained
by this combinatino of Baal with celtral government.
Lard (Analog had very skilfully laid down the distinction
between the two ; an I be (the hon. member) gave his
cordial support to the MIL which carried out the views of
the noble lend He believed, however, that the credit of
originating the plan was due to the hon. member for Si'
(11r. Bright!, silo Lad suggested it many years
apt (Hear. hear.)
Mr. HADFIELD approved of the bill, and urged the
subject af coetracts oe the atteutiuo of the right hen. sm-
ileless.
Leave was thee given to bring in the bill.