Mr W. P. Beeves, Mr Taylor, and Dr Hodgkinson supported the Bill. Mi- Kerr and Mr Merchant opposed it. The debate was interrupted by the 5.80 p,m. adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Hobbs objected to the reduction of the Maori representatives, but would support the

second reading and move in Committee that tbe Maori members be not reduced.
Mr Menteath thought that if the Bill was accompanied by a Local Government Bill it would benefit the colony. He would support the second reading, but should prefer the Bill being postponed until Government brought down the whole of their policy next session. Colonel Fraser supported the Bill, and advised Government to push it through all its stages. As to the Maori representation, he would prefer to see it abolished. Mr Fyke epoVe in opposition to the Bill. Mr Allen thought that New Zealand, com* pared with any other country in the world, was vastly overgoverned. He supported the Bill.
