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SEPARATIO.--Mr. Adderley gave no
lice, in the House of Commons, that he
would, on the second reading of the Se
paration Bill move a series of resolutions
on Colonial Government Reform. The
12th of the series is a practical adaptation
of the views to the special matter of the
Government measure, and is as follows:
12. That the bill entitled, "A Bill for
3e better government of her Majesty's
Australian colonies," and purporting to
eact a constitutional law for these de
inldencies, is objectionable for the fol
jaying reasons :
1st. Because it is based on existing acts
o'Parliament relating to the government
cithe said colonies, and acts to amend and
cuntinue acts, whilst it repeals parts of
::ch acts; so that the true intent and
dect of the whole law is hard to be dis
urered.
2nd. Because, in conjunction with se
Tial acts relating to these colonies, it
ablishes neither the central nor the
rnnicipal system of colonial government,
ht parts of both, mixed together in such
.tate of confusion with regard to the
.bject and means of legislation and the
tecution of laws, as to insure conflict
letween imperial and municipal powers
in each colony, and discord between
the colonies and the Impetial Govern
ment.
3rd. Because, in particular, it does not
pecifically withhold from colonial juris
jction any of the subjects which exclu
rely concern the empire.
4th. Because it does specifically with
old from colonial jurisdiction subjects
ihich exclusively concern the colonies;
amely, the local taxation of the colonists
y customs duties, provision for the sup
irt of religion, and of local funds, the
ppropriation of a large portion of the
ocal revenues, the amount of the salaries
of the principal local officers, and the
ppointment and removal of all local
officers.
Sth. Because, in conjunction with ex
isting Acts of Parliament, it withholds
from the colonists all control what
sorer over the disposal of the waste
hlnds.
6th. Because, as resp'cts the form of
g rernment in the five colonies, instead of
kstowing upon each of them a constitu
0on purposely adapted to its peculiar cir
:amstances, the said bill merely extends
four of them the present form ofgovern
intof the penal colony of New South
les, and preserves the same for New
ath wlales itself.
7th. Because it leaves to the Colonial
'ice in London authdrity to disallow all
Sws passed by the local legislatures.
ith. Because it establishes an uniform
|ctoral franchise for the representatives
idilterently circumstanced colonies, and
"an amount which, in consequence of
Suliarities in the social condition of the
Sloses, is virtually much nearer to uni
rsal suffrage than' that of the British
use of Commons.
9lh. Because it does not establish a
?and legislative body so composed as to
mote due deliberation and conservative
Sadencies in legislation, to render the
sb ion of leading settlers conducive to
. public welfare, to check the vacillation
a 5luctuatingsociety, and to attract from
:e mother country the most valuableclass
emigrants.
l10th. Because, instead of identifying
- head of each local government witt
e cIlony, and investing him with high
permanent station, it preserves the
stem under which the head of a co
g.al government is generally an utter
Ianger to the colonists, seldom, except
nough his appointment to offices, a per
'.f hi, gler rank and station than many
he colonists, and almost sure to be
imoied from the colony soon after ac
Iitng Da knowledge of its peculiar cir
'5inttces and B ants.
SBecause it provides for conflict in
legislature and grievous impediments
B le glelaton, by mixing together in the
, igislative body, members to be
i1e eLa the colounits as their repre
S'a??e's', and members to he appoiated
Sresident officer of the Colonial Office
.epresentatives of official opinions and
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