to prepare it for the enjoyment of still greater freedom. Accordingly it will be my duty to send out these Resolutions to the Governor, and strongly to recommend to him that a measure founded upon them should be passed by the Court of Policy. I believe that those Resolutions have been adopted by every considerable merchant connected with Guiana, resident in England, Scotland, and Ireland. I cannot help, therefore, thinking that these very

the noble Lord has remarked, out of those | large proportion of the property there. I who are described as freeholders in the hold in my hand a Resolution which I repetition, a very large proportion have added ceived only a short time before I came here their marks, and not their signatures. to night, and which was transmitted by the Therefore, if you adopt any pecuniary chairman of a meeting of proprietors very qualification whatever-even one which in largely interested in British Guiana. The this country might be considered a high opinion they entertain is this-that, under one-practically a large amount of power the existing institutions of that colony, the would be thrown into the hands of people taxpayers possess an effectual control over who are perfectly ignorant. On the other both the imposition and the expenditure of hand, if it were sought to throw the whole the taxes; and then they go to point out power into the hands of the planting inter- several reforms and alterations in the exest, that would be still more objectionable.isting institutions, which they consider desiNothing could be more injurious to the real rable, and which would, in their opinion, welfare of the people of that colony than be greatly preferable to any sweeping that you should create an oligarchical power change of the constitution as it now exists. of that kind. Hence, it appears to me To the alterations which these gentlemen that the really judicious course is gradually propose, I see no objection whatever. to improve upon those institutions which the contrary, I believe they are sound in we find existing in that country, and, build-principle, calculated to improve the existing upon that existing foundation, gradu- ing institutions of the colony, and gradually ally, and as the people become prepared for it, to increase the amount of popular authority. This has already been done to a certain extent. But the noble Lord has expressed a doubt as to whether the alteration in the franchise effected in the year 1849 was a wise one. In my opinion, the facts are quite decisive upon that point. The franchise at that time was, as I thought wrongly, confined to an extremely few hands. The absentees were able to act, through their attorneys, to a very pre-intelligent and respectable gentlemen most ponderating extent; and although I have no objection that property should have its fair influence in the representation of a country, at that time the fact was, that practically a very few people were able to return the Court of Policy. By the alteration which was adopted, a franchise was given by which already there are between 900 and 1,000 electors, and that number is likely rapidly to increase; because there is no doubt that, under the law as it stands at present, a large additional number of electors might be qualified if the parties chose to claim. The Financial Representatives are chosen by direct election; the voters have the power of preventing the imposition of any new taxes, and of regulating all the financial affairs of the colony. In all financial matters the colony does already possesss, to a great extent, the power of self-government. My Lords, I have said that this petition does not represent the opinions of the great majority of the persons in the colony, and still less does it represent that of persons in this country who are deeply interested in the welfare of that colony, and who possess a

deeply interested in the welfare of the colony, are quite fit to be trusted with a matter of this kind; and the opinion thus expressed by them is one which ought not to be lightly rejected in favour of that petition which is signed by a small portion of the inhabitants of that colony, and in which, to a large extent, the signatures are not signatures but marks. Then the noble Lord went on to say that, under the existing constitution of the colony, the burden of taxation is very heavy, and that the financial affairs have been very illmanaged. Now, since the last five years, all the changes that have been made have been for the relief of the colony. A large reduction of expenditure has taken place, and a considerable reduction of taxation has taken place also. But the noble Lord said that since that time the Act of 1846 had been passed, an Act which so much affected the property of the colony as to make the necessity of a further reduction of taxation more urgent. Now, I believe, if the noble Lord will look at the actual state of that colony, he will find that it is certainly not less promising in regard to

cultivation than it was when the Act of the noble Lord with respect to that colony 1846 passed. I will venture to say-and-and I only wish he concurred with me I challenge inquiry into the subject-that in the same principle as regards England the noble Lord will not find, comparing the that no more suicidal policy could be actual price at which sugar is produced in adopted in Guiana than laying heavy taxes Guiana, and the price which it realises, upon the importation of the necessaries that any change for the worse has taken of life. But even the existence of selfplace in fact, the Governor, in recently government could not prevent this, for opening the Session, congratulated the we do not find that in the West India Court of Policy upon the dawning of better Islands, for example, any wiser policy has prospects for the future; and I believe been adopted than that of the Legislature he made the statements which he did of Guiana. I think, however, that the without being contradicted. Much has Combined Court, in its present sittings, been done to reduce the cost of cultivation will make large reductions in these objecin the colony, and the fall of wages is tionable duties upon imported provisions, equal to the fall of the price of food. I and that will be followed in future years ventured to state upon a previous occasion, by their entire removal. I think that is that here the effect of protection was to most desirable, because I firmly believe keep up wages. In the case of Guiana, that the effect of these duties upon proviwith a limited population, and with an im- sions in the West Indies is most injurious mense demand for labour, there was at both to the planter and the labourer. It that time little inducement to labour; the is at all times injurious to the labourer people would not do more work than was that labour should be artificially restricted; necessary to maintain themselves. Now, and it is specially injurious to the planters, the effect of the high prices of sugar in- because in Guiana, by laying a tax upon ducing the planters to bid against each imported provisions you are virtually giving other was to raise wages, and at the same an encouragement to the negroes rather time to diminish the amount of labour per- to keep themselves in their own provision formed. This is what I stated at the time grounds raising provisions, than earning would be the case, and what has been wages from the planter in the sugar mill. proved by experience. The rate of wages It makes the provisions dear; that is, in has now fallen to this extent, that the fact, it makes what the people can purpopulation do more work now for the same chase with the wages they earn, less than wages than they did formerly; and this, would otherwise be the case; and I therein the state of society at Guiana, is an fore think the Government has taken a unmixed good, not only to the planters but most judicious course in proposing to reto the people themselves; because it is duce the duty upon imported provisions. most desirable that an adequate motive In fact, the whole of the reductions which should be found to labour, and that no the Governor has proposed will really fall, desire should exist to encourage the system in a great measure, upon those articles. of idleness which previously prevailed in I say, then, that in my opinion, it would the colony. The noble Lord stated that be most desirable, if the population was the effect of the measure of 1846 has been prepared for it, that we should establish so to injure the colony as to make a great more completely representative institutions reduction of taxation necessary. Now, if in Guiana. But as matters now stand, I we look at the facts before us, I find no concur with the gentlemen whose opinions proof of this. What is the actual state of I have now quoted, and who were, I beaffairs? At this moment the Governor lieve, holders of a large proportion of the has been able to propose in the colony a property in Guiana, that it is far wiser to reduction of taxation to the extent of no endeavour cautiously to improve the existless than between 150,000 and 200,000 ing institutions of that colony, than at dollars. And how has he been able to do once to sweep them away, and substitute that? Why, mainly by the increased a scheme altogether new and untried. productiveness of existing taxes. Surely that is no proof of general distress in the colony. It seems to me to be a decided proof of the reverse. I am also happy to say that a great part of this reduction is to be a reduction of the duties upon imported provisions-because I concur with

Earl Grey

LORD STANLEY would have been inclined to attach much more importance to the statements of the gentlemen cited by Earl Grey if they had not asserted that the colonists were not, in their view, fitted for representative institutions; whilst the noble Earl said, that they had already a

highly-intelligent and numerous constitu- | He mentioned this now because he did not ency in Guiana-a constituency of about see any definite mention made in the 1,000 persons-a constituency which would Papers as to how far the noble_Earl was be much larger than it was if persons would disposed, with regard to New Brunswick come forward and claim the privilege; and particularly, to take the larger portion of that that constituency had now the power the land adjoining the proposed line of of dealing with all financial questions. The railway as a collateral security for the noble Earl said, that there was an extend- guarantee of the Government. With regard ed constituency which might be made more to Nova Scotia and Canada he believed extensive still; and that this constituency such an arrangement was unnecessary; but did in fact at present exercise control over with regard to New Brunswick he was the legislation of the colony. But, if that afraid that, looking at its present financial were so, the authority of the practical men position, and looking also at its want of to whom the noble Earl referred was at resources, as well as the peculiar adaptaonce destroyed; for the noble Earl did not bility of its lands to purposes of colonisastate that the constituency were unfit, but tion, that colony would not be able to give that they did exercise control. Then why the Government a sufficient security for not let them exercise that control by direct the payment of the sums to be advanced representation rather than by a system of on loan unless the Government accepted as which the colonists complained as being so a portion of the security a surrender of the repugnant to them. waste lands, which had already been offerEARL GREY said, that there was a ma-ed by the colony. He saw no reference to terial difference between throwing practi- that in the Papers laid upon the table by cally the whole power into the hands of the the noble Earl. population of that colony by such an assembly as was asked for, and giving a wellregulated power over the imposition of taxes, which was already possessed by the constituencies, who elected the financial representatives.

Petition to lie on the table.

EARL GREY said, that with regard to the matter to which the noble Lord had adverted, he had only to point out to the noble Lord this circumstance, that the manner in which it was proposed that Her Majesty's Government should guarantee the loan, would make the whole revenue, both territorial and general, liable, in the first instance, for the payment of the interest on the loan. If the proposal had been that this country should make the loan, or should guarantee the interest to the company making the loan, it was obvious that

stance perhaps, that there should be a certain right to the land on both sides of the line to afford the means of meeting the costs. But if the responsibility of this country was confined to guaranteeing the payment of a loan raised in the money market by the colony on the security of all its resources, territorial and general, that arrangement would be no longer applicable.

RAILWAYS IN BRITISH NORTH AMERICA. LORD STANLEY said, he had another petition to present, from an association of persons in this country who were deeply interested in emigration to North America (Minutes of Proceedings, 55). It had re-it would then be material, in the first inference to Papers which were recently laid upon the table of the House, from which he (Lord Stanley) was glad to see that Her Majesty's Government were prepared to give some assistance, and the guarantee of this country, to the Legislatures of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Canada, for the purpose of establishing a railway between Halifax and Quebec. The petitioners (the Committee of the Canadian Land and Railway Association) were connected with a number of skilled and unskilled workmen, who could not find employment in this country, and were desirous of emigrating to Canada, and they prayed that, in carrying into effect the railway from Halifax to Quebec, Her Majesty's Government would not lose sight of the connexion which might be wisely and advantageously established between a well-regulated system of emigration and colonisation, and the construction of this great national work.

LORD STANLEY thought the matter well worthy the consideration of the noble Earl and Her Majesty's Government. True, the whole of the revenue and the lands of the colony would be the security for the guarantee of this country; but he doubted very much whether the revenue of the Province would, after providing for carrying on the administration of the Province, be a sufficient security for the sums required to construct the railway through New Brunswick. But even if it were, he thought that

That it has therefore been impossible for the Committee to investigate thoroughly the allegations of the Petition referred to them.

"That it has been distinctly stated by some witnesses, and the general tenor of the evidence

in a national point of view, and particularly | procuring the attendance of persons whose eviwith reference to emigration from this dence was proved to be most material to the procountry, very great advantage would be secution of the case of the petitioners, such evidence has not been produced; and that, although obtained by placing under the control of all diligence has been used for the purpose of sethe Commissioners, who were, he under- curing the attendance of the parties required, such stood, to act in conjunction with the colonial endeavours have been unsuccessful. authorities, the promotion of colonisation along the line by emigrants going out under the superintendence and control of the Government. In that manner the surrender of the control of these lands along the rail-given leads the Committee to believe, that a sysway, might, not only pecuniarily, but poli- Election for the Borough of St. Albans, and also tem of gross corruption prevailed at the last tically, be a most important matter for this on former similar occasions. country, with a view to transferring thither a large portion of industrious emigrants, who would not easily find their way there if the lands were not taken under the control of the Commissioners, but left to be disposed of by speculators for what they would fetch in the market.

EARL GREY was understood to say that he thought any arrangement of this kind premature at present.

LORD STANLEY said, he thought the colony should be in the position of being able to offer a real security for the guarantee of this country; but he was afraid that without the surrender of the lands the colony would not have it in its power to give such security, and he should be sorry indeed if such an opposition were raised as that Parliament would be dissuaded by the insufficiency of the security to refuse its guarantee.

Petition to lie on the table.

"That it is the opinion of the Committee, that further inquiry, by means of a Commission under legislative authority should be made, into the corfor the Borough of St. Albans." rupt practices alleged to be customary at Elections

SIR R. H. INGLIS wished to draw the attention of the House to the point which had so often been raised as to the legal constitution of the St. Albans Election Committee, namely, that whereas the law forbade a Committee on a controverted election to adjourn (except on certain specially excepted occasions) for more than twenty-four hours without the leave of the House being first asked and obtained, the Committee in this case had adjourned first and then asked permission, whereby he understood it had been held by hon. Gentlemen far more able to judge in the case than himself, that the Committee had Iceased to exist. If that were so, then the Report which had just been presented, was

House adjourned to Thursday the 1st no more the Report of a Committee of that of May next.

House, than it was of a Committee of the Carlton or the Reform Club. He gave no opinion upon the merits of the case, for he had not read the evidence; but he was bound to say that though it appeared from these Resolutions that five hon. Gentlemen had stated their conviction that a system of gross corruption had prevailed at St. Albans, it was not equally clear to him, that these five Gentlemen constituted at the time a legal Committee; and therefore the House ought to be very careful how it seated Mr. A. or Mr. B. on the Report of a Committee which might have no right to be recognised as such. In order that this point might be settled before the House adopted the Report of what might turn out to be a defunct Committee, he should move that the Report be considered to-morrow, or on any other day that would be more convenient to the House.

MR. SPEAKER said, the Act 11th and 12th Victoria, c. 98, required that after a Committee had made their Report to the

House, the House should order the same | bunal for such inquiries; and he would reto be entered on the Journals.

SIR R. H. INGLIS : But here it is a question whether the Report made be not the work of a Committee which has ceased to exist, and, therefore, an invalid Report.

MR. EDWARD ELLICE said, that in consequence of what had passed in the House the other night, the Committee, in accordance with what seemed to be the general feeling of the House, was prepared that morning to hear any argument upon the point which had been raised. It had not, however, been alluded to by the counsel on either side; and therefore, as neither he nor any Member of the Committee thought it would be right or proper to broach the subject, they had heard the case to its conclusion, and formed their judgments upon its merits.

move them into another court. Whatever informalities, however, might have been committed, he (Sir G. Clerk) was convinced that the House was bound at once to receive the Report, and the Act made it imperative upon them to order it to be recorded in the Journals of the House.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL agreed with the right hon. Baronet who had just sat down; and considered that if the House adopted the course proposed by the right hon. Baronet (Sir R. H. Inglis), it might get involved in far more serious difficulties. The course which it was their duty to pursue was perfectly simple. The Act said that the decision of the Committee should be final to all intents and purposes; and in fact the simple duty of the House was merely to record the Report which the Committee made. It appeared that the MR. BANKES thought the question question as to jurisdiction had not been was not one between the parties, but it was raised at all by the parties interested; and, one in which the House was peculiarly with great submission, he suggested that concerned, affecting, as it did, the regu- there was a Motion before the House on larity, as well as the legality, of its pro- which they could discuss the subject. The ceedings. The further consideration of Committee had brought in their Report: the question, which had previously been that Report was not objected to by any of before them, had been adjourned till five the parties concerned, and therefore he apo'clock that day; and he therefore sug-prehended that it must be received. With gested that the subject be postponed until after that hour.

SIR G. CLERK was of opinion that they could run no danger of having their decision questioned elsewhere, if they merely recorded upon the Journals the Report of a Committee upon an issue which they had been specially appointed to try. The decision of the Committee upon the merits of a return was final against all parties whatever; and, if the House were to take upon themselves to say that the Committee had been guilty of some slight informality or irregularity, and they would not therefore record the Report, they would at once reintroduce all the evils with reference to deciding controverted elections which the Grenville Act, and, still more, the Act under which these Committees were appointed, were designed to remedy. Suppose that the Committee had decided otherwise, and declared the election to be null and void, would the hon. Baronet propose that a writ be not issued for a new election? [Sir R. H. INGLIS: Hear, hear!] The hon. Baronet was inclined to go the full length; but he believed that that Gentleman considered a Committee of the House was an altogether improper tri

respect to the party in custody, he hoped that he would, under the circumstances, be discharged; but that was a subject which would come before them at another period of the evening.

MR. T. GREENE quite agreed with the right hon. Baronet (Sir G. Clerk), and the hon. and learned Gentleman, for he thought that if the House followed the advice of the hon. Baronet (Sir R. H. Inglis), it would be establishing an awkward precedent. He was of opinion, however, that the whole subject ought to be taken into consideration, and that a Committee should be appointed for that purpose.

Report to lie on the table.

Minutes of Evidence to be laid before this House.

EXHIBITION OF THE WORKS OF
INDUSTRY.

SIR DE LACY EVANS said, he wished to ask the right hon. President of the Board of Trade a question relative to space in the Exhibition building being granted to exhibitors of inventions, who have been hitherto restrained from making application, or sending in their goods, by the delay which has taken place in passing the Designs Act Extension Bill.