Although it had been said that women were not educated up to the franchise, he, for his part, was willing to allow himself and his policy to remain in the hands of the women of New Zealand. He believed that at the end of this year, when the General Election was held, the Government would be returned with even a larger majority than they held at present, and that shortly an pld Tory would be as rare as a moa bird. He claimed that the Government had placed 12,000 settlors on the land, and had made New Zea land the brightest gem in the British Crown—a policy they were prepared to continue. After praising the factory legislation of jibe Govern ment at some length, he said that one consola tion was that the Leader of the Opposition had the manliness to say now that labor legisla tion must be continued. But it was like a deathbed repentance, and all honor to the Liberal party for passing such legislation. He alluded to distraint for rent, and said the landlord should be put on the same footing as another creditor. The Premier referred to the private friendly societies, undesirable immi grants, and other matters, and stated that the Government were prepared to grapple with the question of fire insurance, and that they would complete their labor legislation. THE LIQUOR LAWS. It was too late to refer to the liquor question, byt their liquor legislation would not be com plete until they brought clubs under the same supervision as licensed houses. He believed that national option might become law, but all they could do was to act for the present. He cordially approved of what Captain Russell had stated respecting the banking legislation, and said that unless the Government had come to the rescue of the Bank of New Zealand it would have been a sorry day for the colony. THE SURPLUS. As to the financial results of the year, the revenue on the whole was considerably in exeats of that of the previous year, and Government had also effected a net saving of £30,000, whilst they would be able to carry £150,000 to the credit of the Public Works Fund, which surplus he believed would be maintained. He assured them that the surplus was a real ami substantial one. 