The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. His EXCELLENCY - I think that is the proper course to pursue. Where amendments of such importance are proposed it is almost impossible to take them all in at once. They require a little consideration. I understand his Honour to propose that the further consideration of this section be postponed and that amendments such as these opening no wide subjects should be circulated before the meeting. That is agreed to, I suppose.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING proposed an amendment in section 5, which provides that "The Governor shall appoint the President, Vice-President, and Secretary of the Board, and the names of all members appointed to the Board shall be forthwith notified in the Government Gazette, and any number of the Government Gazette containing a notice of any such appointments shall be deemed sufficient evidence thereof before any Magistrate or Court of Law." The hon. member proposed that the Board should elect annually from among their number the President and Vice-President and should appoint their own Secretary. He said the Council would probably think this should stand over with the other sections.
His EXCELLENCY - Well, as this is rather connected with the former section we have no objections to its standing over.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING proposed an amendment in clause 6, which provides that "If any member of the Board be at any time prevented by absence or other cause from acting for more than six months the Governor may appoint or if the member has been elected the electors may nominate some other person to replace such member, until he shall be able to resume his functions." He proposed that instead of the words "the Governor may appoint" the words "the Board may elect" should be inserted.
Hon. A. P. MACEWEN - I think if clauses 4 and 5 are left over for consideration it is necessary to leave over clause 6 because what we propose is not to give any power to the Governor to appoint.
His EXCELLENCY - I did not understand that the Governor was not to nominate at all.
Hon. C. P. CHATER - That was my proposal - four officials to be permanently on the board and six unofficial members to be elected.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL - In that case clause 6 must stand over, then.
Hon. P. RYRIE proposed an amendment in clause 11, which provides that "The Governor may from time to time by order under his hand direct that all resolutions or decisions of the Board involving the expenditure of any sum of public money in excess of fifty dollars shall be submitted to him before being acted upon." He said it seemed to him that fifty dollars was a very small sum indeed to allow the Board to expend. He proposed that the sum be fixed at five hundred dollars.
Hon. A. P. MACEWEN seconded.
Hon. C. P. CHATER - I would be very glad indeed to give power to the Board to spend five thousand dollars, if the Board were composed of members elected in the way I have mentioned.
His EXCELLENCY - But that does not bring anything definitely before the meeting.
Hon. C. P. CHATER - Then I think we shall have to adjourn this clause too, to see how we get on with clause 4. If it is to be a board to do any good I think it ought to have power to spend five thousand dollars, but in that case the board must be a most representative one.
His EXCELLENCY - This is inserted in the interests of the public and to keep a certain control over the expenditure.
The COLONIAL TREASURER - It must be borne in mind that the Governor is personally responsible for the expenditure of the colony and cannot delegate that responsibility to others except in the case of small sums. Of course, in the case of fifty or a hundred dollars in a single transaction no great harm can be done. But with respect to large sums the personal responsibility of the Governor must continue, and I do not see how any board, however constituted, could be allowed to spend large sums in view of the relations of the Governor with the home Government, which holds him personally responsible.
His EXCELLENCY - Well, what is the amendment?
Hon. P. RYRIE - I propose the clause be postponed.
Hon. C. P. CHATER seconded.
His EXCELLENCY - It has been stated, and I agree with it, that it does not matter how the board is constituted, we must limit them in their expenditure to a certain sum. Of course, if you wish the clause to be postponed I have no objection.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL - I take it Mr. Chater would not oppose the passing of this clause if the Board were composed as mentioned in this Ordinance. It is only in case his proposal should be carried that he would ask that this be changed and greater latitude be given to the Board.
His EXCELLENCY - I have not the slightest objection to postponing the consideration of this clause, but it is such a small matter that I do not see the need, because it has been stated that however the Board is constituted it cannot have power to spend unlimited sums. However, the clause is postponed.
On coming to clause 13, which gives the Board power to make by-laws with regard to several matters, the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the clause was a long one and might give rise to much discussion, he therefore proposed that the further consideration of the Bill be adjourned.
Carried.
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