Stafford's success is certain, it it does not follow that the House will be con tent with his present colleagues for another year. There may therefore be an attempt made to force a reconstruction of the Min istry without deposing the Premier; but I confess that, for my part, I do not see how such a thing can be done, but by the con sent of the Ministers themselves. Mr, Stafford is taking a high tone on financial questions. Mr, Yogel, for instance, brought down a resolution on Thursday re commending that three - eighths of the Customs should be secured to the provinces by statute.. He did not, he said, wish to embarrass the Government, hut only to obtain an opinion from the House apart from any vexed financial questions which might come on next week. Mr. Stafford, at once, "jumped on" the infatuated member, told him that he must have meant to annoy and insult the Govern ment ; that the Government would take no suggestion of any kind from members in relation to finance; but would bring down their own proposals complete, and stand by them for good or evil. There has been a small "remnant" of the separation debate in a recrimination between Mr. Dillon Bell and Mr. Whitaker, involving Mr. O'Rorke, of Auckland. In the- closing speech of Mr. Whitaker last Tuesday evening, that gentleman referred to Mr. Bell's com mendation of Mr. McLean, Dr. Featherston, and himself. He wondered, he said, to hear such highly complimentary language used, for one of those three had at one time held a very low place in Mr. Bell's esteem. In 1860, Mr. Bell had said in the House that Mr. McLean was unfitted either by ability or education to preside at the Kohimarama con ference, If Mr, McLean was then unfit to take the chair at a Maori runanga how was it that he deserved such laudation now ? Mr. Bell promptly denied the truthof the quotation said to be made from his speech in 1860, tnd demanded o know who reported him as having used those words. Mr, Whitaker named Mr. O'Rorke, and pro duced a written paper with the words in question under the hand of that gentle man. Next morning, Mr. O'Rorke being ah jent, Mr. Bell asked leave |to speak on this personal matter. 