Stamps Act Amendment and Deceased Persons Bills. Several hours were spent in Committee this afternoon and evening over the Stamp Act Amendment and Deceased. Persons Estates Duties Act Amendment Bills. The House struck out of the latter measure its retrospective clause* the object of which

was to make perßonß making deeds of gift within the last two years pay a succession of duties. The most material alteration made in respeot to the Stamp Aot Amendment Bill was the addition of a clause moved by the Premier, providing that persons or com panies acting as agents for effeohng in surances abroad are to pay a license fee of £200 a-year. j

Whitmore Enabling Bill. Mr Balmnob moved the second reading of the Whitmoro Enabling Bill. He said the offer was made to Sir G. S. Whitmore in consequence of an officer whom the Govern ment had applied to in Canada refusing to accept the appointment. The appoint ment waß necessary in consequence of a competent head being required for the Volunteer force. Ho thought the Govern ment could not have made a Better selection. Major Atkinson said if he thought the appointment was permanent he should i oppose, but he looked on it as an emer i geney, and deprecated altogether the idea that a permanent head of the forces was necessary. Mr Montgomery asked what were the terms of the appointment. Mr Ballanok said there was no particular time fixed. The appointment was not temporary, but the House could at any time refuse to vote the amount required for the office. Mr Hurst thought no particular neces sity had been shown for making the ap pointment. It was not advisable to have a political Commander-in Chief, as he might exercise considerable influence in the House. Mr Seddon quoted the case of the Com mander-in-Chief of the forces of Great Britain, who occupied a seat in the House of Lords, and contended that the ap pointment was not made for political reasons. Mr Fulton agreed with the second read ing, as the Government were called upon to act in an emergency. He took exception, however, to the appointment of an officer who hod risen in the cdony, although^ he had nothing to say against the officer him self/. Mr Russell intended to support the bill. He contended that as it was 25 years since Sir G. S. 