The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-14 00:00:00

LONDON,

S t 1 N,

the people of the ,colony happy. Although he did not
thick the Bill by any means a perfect measure, he should
vote against the amendment.
Mr. MACGREGOR, though not content with many
of the provisions of the Bill, yet looking to the evil of
further delay, and considering the good that it con-
tained, he would support it, that it might be sent out to
the colonies at once. If the Bill were to be a final mea-
sure, like the constitution given to the American colo-
nies, he should not give it his assent; but seeing that it
lett so much to the colonists themselves, and having
confidence in the Noble Lord at the bead of
the Government, that he would not deny to the colonists
any measures which appeared to them to be practical,
he saw no reason for rejecting the Bill. With respect
to the local affairs of the colonies, he thought the Colo-
nial-office ought to leave to the colonists themselves the
management of all those concerns which were of a pecu-
liarly local character; but he would make some excep-
tions to these. He would not allow the colonies to im-
pose heavy or restrictive duties on goods imported into
their own territories either from the home country or a
foreign country, or from one colony to another; and the
various matters included in the schedules of the Bill he
would have to the colonists themselves to regulate; and
with respect to salaries, while he would leave the sala-
ries of the governor and the chief justice a matter of ar-
rangement for the home Government, he would leave all
other public salaries to the management of the colonies.
He considered also that some alteration should be made
in the price of land in those colonies, which was so high
that it drove many to the United States who would
otherwise proceed to Australia.
The House then divided, when there appeared—

For the amendment ... 128
Against it ... ... ... 226
Majority
Mr. ROEBUCK moved to extend the provisions of
the Bill so as to enable the legislatures of the British
North American colonies to' estahlish a federative
assembly fir those colonies. He considered that
the only way to create a national feeling in those
colonies so as to prevent their being absorbed by the
United States. _

Lord J. RUSSELL objected to the clause being
brought up. He did so without entering into the ques-
tion whether it was wise to establish such a federative
assembly. He considered it fir better to keep the Bill
to its purpose of providing fir the legislature of
Australia, without having mixed up with it any question
of a federative assembly for the American provinces.
Mr. ROEBUCK would not press his motion. He
only wished to record his opinion on the subject.
The motion was negatived without a division.
Mr. MOWATT withdrew the amendment which
stood in his name. _ _

Mr. AGLIONBY proposed the following clause, pro-
viding fur representative institutions and the means of
self-government within the islands of New Zealand:—
" Whereas an Aot was paased_in the tenth year of the
reign of her Majesty, intituled 'An Act to make far-
ther provision for the Government of the New Zealand
Islands;' and another Act was passed in the twelfth
year of the reign of her Majesty, intituled 'An Act to
suspend for five years the operation of certain parts of
an Act of the tenth year of her present Majesty, for
making further provision for the Government of the New
Zealand Islands, and to make other provisions in lieu
thereof;' and whereas it is expedient that earlier and
other provision should be made for securing the rights
of representative institutions, and the means of self-go-
vernment, within the islands of New Zealand: be it
enacted, that so much of the said last-recited Act as
suspends certain parts of the said first-recited Act be
hereby repeated, and that the said first-recited Act shall
be in full force and effect until and unless it shall be
hereafter repealed or altered."
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government had received
very recently letters from the governor of New Zealand,
stating that the condition of the colony was so satisfac-
tory that the constitution could be safely applied now.
At the ssme time, there were points in it which the Go-
vernment wished to amend. But as there would not be
time to do so this year they would, he hoped, be enabled
to bring in a satisfactory measure next year.
Mr. AGLIONBY would, under these circumstances,
withdraw his motion.

In reply to Mr. V. SMITH,
Mr. HAWES said the stockholders beyond the 19
counties would have the power of sending representa-
tives to the Legislative Council. The franchise would
not be touched by the Bill, but would be left to the Co-

lonial Legislature.
Mr. E. DENISON then moved that the Legislature of
each colony should have the management of the waste
lands within its limits. Hit amendment was upon clause
13, line 35, and was as follows, after the word " respec-
tively," to insert the following words:—" And for sell-
ing, demising, granting licences for occupation of or
otherwise disposing of waste lands of the Crown within
the limits of the colony, and for the appropriation of the
money to arise from such disposition of such lands, any-
thing in an Act of the 6th year of her Majesty. intituled
An Act for regulating the Sale of Waste Lands be-
longing to the Crown in the Australian Colonies,' or in
an Act of the 10h year of the reign of her Majesty to
amend such Act, and to make further provision for the
management of such land, to the contrary notwithstand-
ing; provided always, that one equel half part of such
gross proceeds shall be, and the same is hereby appro •
priated towards the expense of removal from the United
Kingdom to the colony wherein such revenue accrued of
emigrants from the United Kingdom."
Mr. HAW ES said the question was certainly one of
great importance; but still he thought it would be better
the Bill should stand as it was. Opinions even in the
colonies were divided on the question; a fact ho proved
by extracts from ti memorial of certain stockholders,
asking Government to adhere to the old policy. Under
the existing Act nearly 2,000,0001. had been raised and
expended on labour and emigration to the colonies. The
objection of the Legislative Council of New South Wales
was not to the principle or policy of the Act. but to the
price of land; but out of every 205., the price of an acre
of land in the colony, 10s. were spent in local improve-
ments, and 10s. upon the emigration of labourers. The
present price prevented the absorption of more land than
could be satisfactorily cultivated, and hindered the evils
of accumulation of territory in the hands of individuals.
He hoped, therefore, the motion would not be pressed to
a division.
Mr. HUME thought the question should come
sepa-
rately betore the House; and he trusted a division would
not be taken on it at that moment, but that the subject

should be deferred for discussion to an early day. For
that reason he should vote against the motion if it went
to a division. _ _

Mr. SCOTT said the principle of 201. an acre had
been adopted because the South Australian Company
had obtained land at that price and did not wish to sell
it for less. That was the reaion why an Act of Parlia•
went was passed raising the price of land in the colonies
from ss. to 20s. an acre. During six years prior to the
Act the land sales brought 800,0001.
Mr. MUTT denied the statements of the Hon. Member
as far as they related to the South Australian Company.
The House divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment ... , 82
Against it .., „, „, 222
Majority against the amendment --140
Mr. ANS rEY then moved to insert in schedule C the
figures " 5,0001.," instead of " 13,3001."
Mr. HAWES eculd not consent to the amendment,
and eventually Mr. Anstcy withdrew it, and the Bill
passed.

STAMP DUTIES BILL.

The House went into Committee on this Bill, and

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER placed
in the hands of the Chairman the resolutions which
formed the foundation of the Bill.
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY wished to know the nature
of the resolutions, otherwise the House would be sanc-
tioning something which they did not know the na-
ture of.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER was un•
derstood to say, that the resolutions he now proposed
strictly carried out the scheme which he had previotisly
stated on Friday last, for reducing taxation to the extent
of 300,0001. There was to be a duty of one per cent. on
conveyances, and one-eighth per cent. on mortgages and
bonds. The only alteration was with respect to the
schedule for Ireland, which would be deferred.

Mr. DISRAELI thought the resolutiont ought not to
be printed berore they were submitted to the house.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
would be competent, at the next stage, far any Hon.
Member to propose any alteration or reduction in Com-
mittee.

Sir WILLOUGHBY was of opinion that, instead
of a reduction to the extent of 600,0001., as stated, then-,
would be really an itiotease of taxation: This showed
the necessity of the Cominittee understanding *hat the
resolutions *ere before they agreed to let theth be
brought IN lie was perfectly persuaded that a firm
conviction pervaded the minds Of the mass of the people
that if this Bill were Oaisedi the nation would be grossly
deceived etect; for, instead of reducing taxation,
the result would be to increase it. He wished the Right
Hon. Gentleman to lay on the table of the House those
calculations on which he arrived at his conclusion, so
as it might be seen where the loss of 300,000/. would
arise. He thought the Right Hon, Gentleman ought to
afford the data, showing whore the loss to taxation or
where the gain would be. For his own part, he believed
the loss was greatly overrated, and he suspected there
was some great error in tha Right Roth Gentleman's
calculations; therefore, he coneeiiied it *as but fag' to
the house to lay before it some documents which could
easily be obtained from the Stamp-office, to show the
am (met of loss anticipated with respect to leases and
conveyfincm
Mr. 11011111 thought the resolutions ought td be
printed, and ntit into every Member's hands, so that all
might liiicieritand where the loss or where the increase
would arise.
Mr. GROGAN *Isl.:n(1 to ittiow if it were competent
for any Member in donatilittee ,to move a reduction in
any one of the.proposed .
The CHAIKCIitibOO dt tle tIdEIEQUER said fe-
&Ants *att'it not be included in the reductions. He in-
tended to confine the measure to certain items of the
stamp duties already enumerated, without intending to
include anything else.
Mr. FORBES thought the schedule ought first to be
printed, for the information of Members.
Mr. MULLINGS having given a list of the items
which were to be affected by the proposed alteration,
wished to know if ho had name] them all?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER remarked
that in the schedule agreements were included which were
not included in the previous schedule.
Mr. GROGAN desired to know whether it would be
competent to move for the reduction of any other of the
stamp duties in Committee?
Mr. GOULBURN thought the resolutions ought to
be adopted. They would then appear in the votes, and
any Hon. Gentleman who might have an aolon'-
nant to move when the report *us, brought up won) d
find himself ;placed in the same situation as he was at
present.
The re§,olr ttions were then adopted.

TITESD AY

THE RAILWAYS ABANDONMENT BILL

The amendments to this Bill were inserted, and or-
dered to be printed and reported o❑ Friday next.
FACTORIES BILL.

Lord ASHLEY wished that the Bill should be re-
committed pro forma for the purpose of withdrawing
his clause, and having the Government amendments in-
serted. _ _

Sir G. GREY said the amendments would be the
same as he had stated previously, with one exception,
making provisions for loss by water.
Colonel SIBTHORP objected to compromises of any
kind. He could not say that the support he had pro-
mised to give to the Noble Lord would be continued.
In answer to Lord J. MANNERS,
Sir G. GREY stated that he would have the discussion
on the Bill as early es possible.

The Bill then went through Committee pro forma,
and was ordered to be recommitted on 23d May.
MISCELLANEOUS ESTI MATES. _ _

In answer to a question from Colonel SIBTHORP,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER re-
marked that six classes of the civil service were printed
on the table for some time. He hoped the House would
allow him to take the votes on the civil contingencies on
Friday next.
The House then went into Committee of Ways and
Means.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER pro-
posed a vote of 8,558,7001. Exchequer-bills, which was
agreed to.
The Fees (Court of Common Pleas) Bill was read a
third time and passed.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL brought in a Bill to
alter and amend the law relating to proceedings by pro-
cess of attachment of goods in the Borough Courts of
Record in Ireland.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX-
CHEQUER, the follow ing Committee on Savings' Banks
was nominated :—The Chancellor of the Exchequer,
the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Henry Herbert, Mr.
Goulburn, Mr. John Abel Smith, Sir George Clerk, Sir
William Gibson Craig, Mr. Herries, Mr. Poulett Scrope,
Sir John Yarde Buller, the Marquis of Kildare, Mr. Ker
Seymer, Mr. Shafto Adair, Mr. William Fagan, and Mr.
Eramston.
The House adjourned at One o'clock.