No. 45

Referring to my Despatch No 39, of the 31st ultimo,
transmitting the "Civil List Act, 1871," I have the honor to
forward a Copy of a Letter from Mr Rocke Robertson the Mayor of
Victoria with Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting held at
Victoria on the 31st ultimo respecting that measure.

2. I need scarcely point out to Your Lordship that it by no
means follows that these Resolutions at a meeting of a section
of local
 "politicians" in Victoria express the views of the
people of the Colony at large; nor that I have not regarded it
as opposed to the Imperial Policy to keep good faith with a
class of persons who have been appointed to their present
Offices by Her Majesty's Government, and who
 ought not to suffer
from proposed political changes. The Act is only in a limited
sense of a permanent character. It simply secures that no
changes shall be hastily made without deliberation, and without
the approval of the Governor General advised by his Ministers;
while it does not
 in any manner confer a claim to pensions. The
efficiency of the present staff may be held to be sufficiently
tested by experience; and, as Your Lordship is aware, the
payment of Salaries by Warrant from the Governor is only the
usual mode of proceeding.

3. In fact Your Lordship will perceive that the
 Resolutions are
based upon misrepresentations, although these have been
authoritatively contradicted. And, that such erroneous views
should have been entertained and persisted in, I must admit does
not tend to create a very high opinion of the common sense of
the Meeting; or, if they
 were fairly represented there, of the
ability of the people to form correct opinions upon public
questions, and their fitness for self-government.