proceedings. There was, as the Premier said, some " lively skirmishing" over the bill. One of the members, Mr. Tairoa, suggested a very comprehensive reform. In his opinion it was absurd to wait till tho death of a wife to marry her sister — the Maori custom was infinitely prefer able : he failed to see why honorable members should not have half a, dozen wives. Many members, who may be pre sumed to be very much married already, objected to this wholesale proposal. Mr. Stafford was the principal opponent of the bill, and at one time completely cornered the gentlemen in charge of ifc. Mr. Stewart was quite at sea as to the moaning of tho third clause of his bantling, and had not Mr. Gillies promptly come to his rescue, would 'have been entirely non plussed. The member for Clutha looked with horror upon the measure, and said he would not allow his sister-in-law to live in his house and look after his children, if the bill became law. Mr. Swanson caused considerable amusement by rejoining that "somebody's sister or another would have to do it." Tho Colonial Secretary was needlessly alarmed about bigamy. He was afraid that men would marry one sisfcer in New Zealand" when they had espoused another in the home country, oblivious of the fact that the bill dealt only with deceased wives' sisters. Mr. Bunny created considerable amusement by chivalrously standing up for the ladies to an equal share in the proposed boon, and he moved the addition of words enabling ladies to marry their deceased husband's brothers, but the ladies will have to wait a little longer, for the House is not at present able to accord the privilege. There is one argument in favour of the question, which has been overlooked. It gives men an opportunity of only having one mother-in-law — an obvious advantage — and had that view been pressed upon tho House it might have facilitated the passing of the measure through Committee. As it was Mr. Stafford, by exercising a little Parliamentary tact, took the wind out of Mr. Steward's sails, and obtained leave to sit again on Tuesday. This being a Government day, it is extremely un likely that the bill will be entertained, as it will be at the bottom of the paper. — Post.
