Mr Ballance also disputed Mr Bfctf ron's statement that the majority of the* town members were in favor of the reduc tion, and if the majority of the country members were in favor of the reduction that proved that the majority of the House approved of it. He wasglad to find, this was so, and he hoped the Government would give the Committee an opportunity Of voting on that point, irrespective of the considerations that might involve the de feat of the Goverment. Sir G. Grey's amendment, however, did not propose to repeal the Act of 1887; it only wanted the country to decide whether the House should be reduced to seventy members. He (Mr Ballance) did not believe in the quota at all, but he thought the country members had taken a reasonable course in endeavoring to obtain concessions. Owing to the large alteration in their districts that would be necessitated by a House of seventy members it the country members got all they asked for in this quota it would be no compen sation to them for the injury that would be done them in enlarging their districts* There was no doubt that the opinion of the country should be taken on the reduc tion of members. The vote formerly taken on that point was one of expe diency. Mr Hislop said that the vote had been. taken owing to promises made by hon. members to their constituents that they would support the reduction, and if pro mises of that kind were to be broken in the manner advocated by Mr Ballance, Parlia ment would become a contemptible thing. What evidence could the hon. gentleman produce that the country had changed its mind on the question of reduction, and as to the argument that when the question was before the country the issues were confused, was there ever an election held when the issues were not confused? With respect to the position of the Government on this matter, ib was a position vital to the principle of the Bill. Dr. FiTOHETT said that when pledgee were given for the reduction of membera the whole question was not beforeJ»ft country. He held, however, that ques tions of the quota and the reduction* of members should be decided separately. 