Hon. C. P. CHATER—In seconding the proposal of my hon. friend the senior unofficial member I would like to point out to your Excellency that the unofficial members are always in the minority, and in the absence of the member for the Chamber of Commerce, we are in a greater minority than ever. Under these circumstances I trust your Excellency will be pleased to assent to the proposition of my hon. friend.
His EXCELLENCY—Hon. gentlemen, this takes me rather by surprise, and I think that some reasons should be given for adjourning this matter. I most strongly protest against this separation which is always brought forward between the official members and the unofficial members. I object most strongly to such a principle in this colony. As far as my experience goes, I believe that really and truly there is less partisanship in this colony than in almost any other part of the world, and I have been in a great many. Why we should perpetually hang out this red rag as if we were in two opposite camps I don't see. If any hon. gentleman will give us good reasons for an adjournment I shall be most happy to listen to them. The greater part of this Bill and the consideration of all the various amendments which have been proposed from time to time has been a matter I think more of friendly conference than of debates in this Chamber. I believe more has been done by friendly conference and I believe the Executive Council—the official members as they are always called—have threshed everything out and have tried to do their best for the community in the Executive Council just as much as you have endeavoured to do in the Legislative Council. We have got on so far, and got on I think satisfactorily. I think as far as we have gone the Bill is a most considerate one and a most workable one. We have got to this very question of overcrowding, which is really not such a very difficult matter to settle, and unless any really good reasons can be adduced for postponing consideration—because I am quite sure that whatever has been said in this Council has been thoroughly gone into before; it is not as if we were taking a fresh matter if any really good valid reasons are given, as I have generally tried to show you, I shall submit, as I don't wish to carry my own opinion, to what I consider the general opinion on the subject, but I would like to hear something more of the reasons for interrupting our proceedings.
Hon. P. RYRE—I do not know, your Excellency, whether I am in order or not, but I have already adduced several reasons and some of them the Government must consider to have weight from the fact that there was an anxiety expressed to retain Mr. MacEwen on the Council until this Bill was passed. This did not come officially before this Council, but I heard it from at least one member of the Executive if not more.
His EXCELLENCY—That the Government was anxious to retain Mr. MacEwen?
Hon. P. RYRE—Yes.
His EXCELLENCY—Certainly, certainly.
Hon. P. RYRE—Well I think that is one strong argument which can be adduced for the delay of this Bill until Mr. MacEwen again takes his seat at the Board.
His EXCELLENCY—I should like to get more of a general opinion on the subject.
Hon. C. P. CHATER—Your Excellency, with regard to the first portion of your speech about the red rag and the official and unofficial element in this Council, I am sure, you yourself will admit that without an opposition very little good is done, and therefore where there is an opposition, even as poor an opposition as we have been able to bring forward—
His EXCELLENCY—Not a poor one.
Hon. C. P. CHATER—Still I feel sure some good has been done. With regard to the second portion of your Excellency's speech about the absent member, I am sure the senior unofficial member has said enough. The absent member has taken great pains with this clause, has studied it thoroughly, and I understood he would like to be here to bring forward his arguments for reducing the quantity of space from three hundred to two hundred and fifty feet. It is unfortunate he is not here to-day, but as the adjournment asked for is not unreasonable, only till after 17th inst. I am sure your Excellency will be pleased to assent to the proposal.
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