than the actual number of shares in the company were in, many instances sold on, this igarket. I regért that the bon, memb did not give one or two instances or cans which have happened,. As far as my knowledge goes I do not know! of any sneli Leeman's Act, on which this Bill is said to be framed. is a dead letter. iu! England and is absolutely, jud. entirely. ignored by the Loudon, Stock Exchange. Some years ago I was very much in favour of the introduction of Leoman's Act in the Colony, but other managers of Bauks who had been here longer than I had were as much opposed to its introduction as I was in favour of it...Other bank managers are to-day still opposed to Leemian's Act and I question if Lae. man's Art had been introduced whether it would have had the desired effect. I quite sympathise with the mover of the Bill in his efforts to re- move the blight which we all agree exists, and I think the suggestion made to us through the Legislative Council by the Sharebrokers. As sociation would go a long way towards bring ing about a better state of affairs than now. exists. As representative of the Chamber of Commerce I would again state that I am opposed to this Bill and that a very large majority of the members prés-ut at yesterday's general meet- ing expressed their disapproval of it,
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-The motion before the Consol at the present time is that the Bill be read a second time, and that motion has been proposed and secouted, This is, not, a Government measure. It is a public measure introduced by a private mem- bar. The Government were very anxious, and your Excellency, was very anxious, to hear all that gould be said to throw light on the question in order to enable the Government to come to a right and proper conclusion as to what position they should take up with regard the Bill The Sharobrokers' Association have been represented by counsel and we have had the advantage of hearing the able speech bo has addressed to us. He has laid before us facts and arguments well worthy consideration. We have also had the advantage of hearing the opinion of all the unofficial members at present in the Colony. There is absent Mr. Chater, but he was the seconder of the Bill when it was brought in for the first time.
Hon. T: H. WHITEHEAD-May I explain that he only did so because there was no other un official member present.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE was understood to say that was incorrect.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I do not want to eater into any controversy as to the reason of his seconding it? I only know the hon. member seconded it?
His
Hoa. J. J. Keswick-That is correct. reason for so deing I am not aware of a
The ACTING QOLONIAL SECRETARY--I would suggest that the Council, instead of proceeding to a division at once, adjourn the motion until the next meeting of Council, which I presume will take place next Friday, in order that we may carefully consider the arguments and opinions we have been put in possession of and that official members may decide what attitude they will take up in regard to this Bill, whether they will support the Bill in its entirety, whether they will approve of it to such an extent as will bring it into conformity with the English law at the present time, or whether modifications shall be made to the Bill. We are now in possession of all (the light that can be thrown upon the matter by the learned counsel and the nnofficial members, and I think the wisest thing to do now would be to ad- journ. I therefore move that the consideration of the Bill be adjourned to next Friday.
Hoa, Ho KAI-I rise to order. The question before the meeting is for the second reading, I have moved an amendment to that to have the Bill referred to a commission.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENEBAL-Ï must rise to order. The hon. member's motion was not seconded.
Hoo. Ho KAI-Yes, by Mr. Whitehead. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg your pardon. I did not hear him,
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have no objection to the hon. member's amendment if he presses it, but I would put it to him if it would. not be more desirable to adjourn the consider. ation. I also think after the Bill has been read.
a second time and the Council bas resolved itself: into Committee that it be a more appropriate time to move any resolution of this kind.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Tho object of the mover of the last resolution was to refer the Bill to a Commission to take evidence before pro- ceeding further with it.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I.am afraid that motion is out of order; it is one of those of which notica must be given. If you look at the standing orders you will see certain motions which can be made without notice, but this is not one of those.
The REGISTRAR-GENERAL.-I understood from the despatch of the Secretary of State with regard to the Bill that it was laid down that the Hill should not be brought forward unless there was a general agreement coneer ing it among the unofficial mombars. As thors appears to be no general agroemast, I think it would be as well to postpous the Bill. I would therefore more, that this Bill be post- poped to this day six mouths. At present there appears to be only disagreement among the nr. official members, and therefore to go on with the Bill now does not appear to be in accordance with the Secretary of State's despatch.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The Secretary of State's instructions were simply that he did not object to the Bill being p ased and brought into foroa if the unofficial members agreed. There was no statement that the unofficial member must be unanimons, nor any statement that the Bill Lmust rot be discussed bare with a view of bring- ing round the members to it. There was no ori der that it should not be introduced and that. we should not hear arguments for and against I think we are quite in order in providing with it.
Lit.
. Hou. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Thore is no refe. rence in the rules for notics of motion for re- ferring a Bill to a Committee,
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRÉTARI-The hou. member woved to refer the Bill to a Cora- mission, not to a. Committee. -
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Is there any difference between a Commission and a Com mittee?
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—Cor- tainly there is. I hog to propose that the con- sideration of the Bill be adjourned to next Fri- day.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded. Carried. The Council then adjourned.
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