Mr. Dillon Bell thought' this was hardly a time to be tinkering at tlie Militia Acts ; nor was there time for it. The late ' Government had been obliged to take, upon 1 themselves a consi r derable amount ' of executive "authority, and though there might have bcen'soine^ complaints, it had been exercised bo much for ;the general good of the colony, by the Minister for Qofonia.l Defence that they might very well, leave the^ power- in his hands. If the session were ,in- r ipnded to be of the ordinarjr length, he would not Have opposed the motion, but once let a Mihtial Bill be introduced for particulars hon. members would not know where to stop in the\, amendments they would bejjropoung and dit-, cussing.' Besides, in circumstances lilep the present,' it would be, very injurious to interfere to nny extent with the discretionary powers .of ,the Military Defence Department of , the Executive; ' ' ' ' / .'

Mr. Colenso agreed that thjs was not the, time when this subject could be considered ,to advantage. Probably, in the iWpess the Government would give their attention to the proper revision of and consolidation,, of the present Militia 'Acts. '" ' '.
