The Go vernment could not venture to hope that a sys tem similar to that which" they had now laid down could be regarded as a general settlement ;of the difficult questions as to the best manner in which the residents of the colony might con duct their own affairs. They could only look upon it as the commencement of a system, and therefore they intended to introduce clauses to enablethe legislature of New Zealand tomakesuch alterations and changes iv the institutions as they might deem desirable. (Hear, hear.) Having now moved for leave to bring in the bill, he had redeemed the pledge given by the Government that no unnecessary delay should be made in dealing with the subject. It would remain for the house to decide whether — after the expla* nation he had given— they thought the bill came fairly and reasonably within the category of ne cessary measures to which the Government had pledged itself to confine its exertions in the pre sent session. He submitted this question fairly and frankly to the house. His own opinion was that it came fairly within that category, but if the house thought otherwise the Govern ment would bow to its decision. The Govern ment did not intend that the present bill should interfere with the municipal institutions recom mended by Lord Grey, and which were part of the Act of 1846, but which were not suspend ed when that Act was suspended, because they believed these institutions ought to. be extend ed to the colony of New Zealand. The Go vernment *had endeavoured to do their duty in this respect. They had endeavoured not to withhold from New Zealand those rights and institutions for which the people were naturally and so justly anxious; and he confessed he was sanguine enough to hope that the measure would not meet with any formidable opposition from any quarter of the house. Sir R. H. Inglis complained that no provi sion was made for the religious wants of the co lonists, and recommended that a provision of land or revenue should be set apart for that purpose. He also suggested that the upper chamber should be nominated for life. Mr. 