158

ADDRESS

FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TO HIS EXCELLENCY, THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.

The House of Representatives respectfully
submit to the Officer administering the Go-
vernment, some Resolutions passed by them,
concerning the prevalence of intemperate ha-
bits among the Colonist and Native popu-
lations; and they pray that his Excellency
may be pleased to direct, first, that these
Resolutions may be published in the Govern-
ment Gazette, for general information, and,
secondly, that of the number of the Gazette
which shall contain them, a thousand extra
copies may be printed for circulation through-
out the Colony.

RESOLUTIONS.

Whereas a Select Committee of this House (on
Secondary Punishments) after taking abundant evi-
dence on the subject, have reported that they "think
it their duty to observe that the vice of drunkenness
is admitted to be the main cause of crime in this
Colony, where the misery and temptations of poverty
are hardly known; and without desiring to travel too
far out of the limits of the enquiry referred to them
they cannot fail to express a hope, that some Legisla-
tive measure may be adopted without delay, to arrest
the progress of this principal incentive to crime:
And whereas it cannot be denied that habitual intem-
perance is a prevalent vice amongst the Colonist po-
pulation of New Zealand, and the unceasing cause of
degradation and ruin to individuals and of misery to
families: And whereas the vice of intemperance is
known to be extending among the Natives by means
of its prevalence among the Colonists: And where-
as there can be no doubt that, in this country, the
vice of intemperance is greatly promoted by the fa-
cilities for its indulgence by both races, which are af-
forded by the present state and administration of the
Law with regard to the trade in Spirituous and Fer-
mented Drinks: And whereas there is reason for
deeming it probable, that amongst those of the Co-
lonists who habitually indulge in this vice, a consid-
erable proportion would hail with satisfaction any
Law designed to prevent them from gratifying their
evil propensity, whilst their families would heartily
rejoice at such Legislation if it were effectual:

Therefore, this House is of opinion:

1st. That the question of restrictions on the
trade in Spirituous and Fermented Drinks is not one
of political economy alone, to be viewed solely with
reference to the principles of free trade and of taxation
for revenue, but is also one of morals, which ought to
be considered by the Legislature as affecting the peo-
ple in their social habits and general welfare, and
likewise as affecting the good name of the Colony.

2nd. That, nevertheless, bearing in mind the consti-
tutional right of the people to be bound by no laws,
but such as are passed with their consent by their
representatives; and considering also, that the
question of restrictions on the trade in spirituous and
fermented drinks, was not specially in the thoughts of
the people when they elected the present members of
this House, the General Assembly cannot discreetly
legislate on the subject without allowing time for the
people to express their opinions and wishes thereon,
by means of petitions to the Governor and both
Houses of the Legislature.

3rd. That if, at the next meeting of the General As-
sembly, petitions from a considerable majority of the
people should be received, praying that the law with
regard to the trade in spirituous and fermented drinks
may be so altered as to hinder effectually the indul-
gence of intemperate habits, it will be the duty
of this House to bestow its most serious consideration
on the whole subject, with the view of giving prompt
and real effect to the wishes of the people as ex-
pressed by such petitions.

True extract.

C. CLIFFORD,
Speaker.

COLONIAL BANK OF ISSUE.

TOTAL Amount of Notes in circulation at the
Office of the Colonial Bank of Issue, at
Auckland, on the 16th day of Sept., 1854,
being the close of the preceding four
weeks:—

£5 and upwards ........................ £6,030
Under £5 ................................... 3,811

Total........................£9,841

Total Amount of Coin held by the office on the same day :--

Gold ........................................ £4411
Silver ...................................... 20

Total............£4,431

I, Alexander Shepherd, the Colonial
Treasurer, do hereby certify that the above
is a true account, as required by the Or-
dinance No. 16, Session 8.

A. SHEPHERD,
Colonial Treasurer.

Dated at Auckland, this
18th day of Sept., 1854.

Printed by WILLIAMSON & WILSON, for the New Zealand Government.