ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM. 409 



insufficiency and glaring defects of our laws, as applicable to the 

 civilisation and requirements of our community ; as also the 

 hollowness and tyranny of our local policy : I have also ventured 

 on suggesting some changes. The soundness of my views may be 

 controverted, but there does not exist, I think, a doubt as regards 

 the possibility, as well as the urgent necessity, of improving our 

 laws, and rendering our administration more effective. 



Now, is our local government adequate to the task ? I say 

 that, from past experience, it is not, but, on the contrary, will 

 oppose even the most insignificant changes as inimical to the 

 interests of the few individuals who misgovern this colony. I have 

 already mentioned the composition of our government ; it consists 

 of an executive, and of a legislative council. The legislative 

 consists of six official and six non-official members. The six non- 

 officials are nominees of the crown, chosen from amongst planters, 

 merchants, and attorneys of absentees generally selected, not on 

 account of their qualifications for the office, but mainly in conse- 

 quence of their connections, and their assumed position in society. 

 Of this form of government I will only say that it is sui generis 

 having none of the merits, and all the defects of a despotic rule. 

 The largest share of influence and power is divided between the 

 Attorney- General and the Colonial Secretary, who really and 

 actually govern under cover of the governor's prerogative. As 

 regards measures passed in the colony, the non-official section act 

 as a shield, whilst the responsibility of all measures which the 

 governor may have advised and recommended to the adoption 

 of the Minister for the Colonies, is by him shifted to his su- 

 perior a responsibility, however, generally assumed with much 

 good- will in Downing -street. Things are so arranged, that the 

 governor is almost certain of carrying any measure he proposes, 

 even without giving his casting vote. Not only is public opinion 

 never consulted, but our present Attorney-General seems to 

 make it a point of deciding contrary to that opinion, when- 

 ever expressed. The people are taxed without their consent 

 having been obtained through their representatives ; and the 

 money voted is spent independent of their voice or control. 

 This is not all : the very nature of our local government renders 

 the welfare of the community a matter of perfect indifference to 

 our rulers. The grand, the important affair, is the civil list. All 



