, 1874-10-14

had been any thing new, then the proposal
might be said to be too general. But the
Government has year after year itself promised
to come forward with the proposals for re-
forms we must therefore wait TO see what
Government will propose but We want now
to remind the Government o. the promises
therefore there was no necessity, 10 fact no
possibility of entering into specialities.
3rd Member for Christiansted's Country
District (Coalter) would, in reference to tho
remarks from the 2nd Member fer Christian
sted Country District (Rosenstand) about
the Members taking their duties light, beg
to observe that the meetings of the Colonial
Council are SO far between that Members cannot
possibly keep themselves posted with the differ
ent matters for discussion, and even ideas that
have been useful get lost before the matters
come on; much less can Members, who also
have their daily business TO discharge, have
any opportunity or wish to take the int-
tiative in respect to reforms which are con-
sidered advisable; aud the honorable 2ud
Member had himself admitted this during the
discussions in the Committee on the Daft of CO.
lonial Law when advising a term OF 6 weeks ev-
ery year, during which the Council should be in
session and in continual meetings to complete
the legislative work.
Ist Member for Chris tiaDsted (Lemm'ng)
had not intended to speak on this matter
but would only observe that as the 8 propo-
nents are unwilling to withdraw the proposal.
there can be nothing else for the Council
to do than now to vote on it, and thus spare
further discussion.
The p resident said he must confess that no
correspondence with the Government has
taken place in respect to this proposal and if
he were to be asked why, be would have to
give as reason what had already been alluded
to bv the honorable Chairman about the eX-
treme vagueDess of the proposal. 1t was
evident TO him, the President, that the pro-
posed adore IS was meant only ass reminder
or, to uso a homely expression, q dun; there
fore he never thought it was a matter on which
to communicate with Government. Now, the
object will have been attained In a s~atlstac-
tory manner after the declaration he had
given if the memorial were still to be adopt
ed, IL would seem to have the appearance that
the Council is not satisfied with what has been
declared, and therefore must urge the Govern
ment to como forward. Tue proposal itself
contains nothing more than general terms
aud expressions had it contained definite sug-
gestions, he would at once have sought the
Governments Instructions but as 1t ls now
those instructions could not have been more
or otherwise than what he, the President, could
state with certainty. However, he must again
leave it to the Council whether or not it will
adopt the proposal by a vote.
end Member for Frsderiksted (Fader in
reference to the remark from LIST Member
for Chri8tiansted (%Lemming), which as far as
he, the Speaker, understood were intended
as a sort of proposal to close these discussions,
would beg to say that the Members, at all
events himself for one, had derived much bene-
fit from these discussions, the more so, as be-
fore he had been doubtful as to how he should
vote on the matter, especially after some Of
the proponents had withdrawn and others con-
tinuod the proposal. But after these discus
sions he must say he thinks the Council should
feel obliged to those 5 Members for bringing
in the proposals. At the same time he could
not look upon them in any other light than as
q reminder to Government, and as His Excel
lency has declared that measures IN the de-
sired direction are not only under consideration
but under preparation, and as he would under
all circumstances better like to see the Ordi-
nsnces come from Government who bad the
best m aterial for preparing drafts, ne should
think the proposal need not be put to vote
and that we could be satisfied until further.
If, when those Ordinances come forward, they
should be found not satisfactory, it would be
due time under the next Budget to come for
ward with what may be considered moe sulta'
BILE.