Al though we have been twitted ns the non-progres sive party, all our measures and policy have been directed to the progressive development of the Provinco, not by crude, rash, and startling proposals, which almost invariably prove a ruin ous waste of public means, hut by a judicious foresight, as far as possible anticipating the wants of a growing and prosperous country by well di gested measures.. If we have failed to do so to the full extent we could have desired it has been because of the opposition we have met with for so many years by those desirous of maintaining a monopoly of our waste lands, or interested in the creation of a large landed aristocracy. My own conviction is that the time has arrived when the Provincial Government might be conducted on the basis of a Provincial municipality. — (Ap plause.) I shall be most happy now to answer any questions that may be put by any one pre sent, promising that I will not attempt to evade or shirk meeting the intention of the questioner, but give straightforward replies to the best of my ability. Mr Robert Murray : Can you explain the grounds upon which the dissolution has been granted by the Cabinet? Mr Gillies : I have only had time to glance at the Cabinet minute upon the subject. It appears to me that the great bulk of it is a repetition or narrative of the steps taken in the Council. A portion of that narrative had been omitted, nnniely, the resolution of the minority not to join with the majority in forming an Executive. I As far as I can judge, the decision of the Cabinet simply amounts to this— lf the Superintendent puts up his back and says " I won't," and the Council says "I shan't," then a dissolution will be granted, and thus a premium is offered for a faction fight. I will read you an extract from Hearn upon the subject :—: — " Again, where no political question is at | issue, but the subject is merely the advantage of a particular party, there is no proper case for a dissolution. 