MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said ho wished to make several statements to the House. The Hinemoa would leave to-morrow night at 10 o’clock for New Plymouth and Kawbia, ex pecting to return ou Monday evening. This would be a good opportunity for hon. members who wishedito visit their constituencies, and others. In order to bring the debate on which a division was taken last night to a conclusion, the Government had had to trespass on the private members* day, and they proposed to make that day up by allowing Friday after noon and Tuesday evening. It was essential, however, that on those occasions an attempt should be made to clear the Order reference to that highly satisfactory debate, ho might say that it had appeared from the course of it, that many hon. members who supported the Government, and who were thoroughly versed in the feelings of the country, took strong exception to tho reduction in the educa tion grant. In consequence of representations of the strong feeling existing in the country on the matter, the Government had concluded to forego that reduction, and leave the grant the same as at present. (Hear, hear.) Mr TURNBULL deprecated the with drawal indicated by the Treasurer after the exceedingly able defence of the reduction made by the Premier on the previous evening. If the Government were going to act like this, he did not know who the House could place dependence on. Mr ROSS would support the action of the Government. Sir JULIUS VOGEL said the Government deferring to strong representations that the reduction was inadvisable, had agreed to forego it for the present, and consider the matter in the recess. The matter involved was not one of Government policy. He might add that he should have to ask the House the next day to pass another Imprest Supply Bill GISBORNE HARBOR BOARD EMPOWERING BILL. Sir GEORGE GREY moved the second reading of this Bill, explaining that it enabled the board to raise L 200,000 if necessary at 5 per cent. The PREMIER said that by the Standing Orders it would be necessary for the Bill to be subsequently referred to the Waste Lands Committee. Upon discussion the second read ing was agreed to. IN COMMITTEE, The Timaru Market Reserves Bill was agreed to with a slight amendment. The City of Dunedin Leasing Poweta Bill was agreed to without amendment. 