The Electoral Act Amendment Bill's second reading came on laeL night, and showed such staunch Ministerialists as Messrs Fisber, Morrison, Mills, and Houston in active antagonism to their chief. Messrs Fisher and Morrison practically charged the Premier with pandering to the wealthy and truckling to the Opposition, and said they would block the bill at every stage. After meeting with strong opposition from both sides of the House, the Premier allowed the bill to succumb to a motion for the adjournment of the debate carried on the casting vote of the Speaker. The NZ. Times, the most pro nounced Ministerial journal in the colony has this morniug the following paragraph on the : situation :—" The success of the Opposition in altering some of the important measures brought down by the Government has been one ot the features of the present session. The Land for Settlements Act Amend ment Bill was converted by the Opposition into practically a new measure, and when the Local Govern ment Voting Kefortu Bill concluded its progress through committee in the early hours of yesterday morning it bore a very slight resemblance to the original Bill. In view of these facta there would appear to be much truth in the statement made by Mr Taylor that the Opposition and not the Govern ment is carrying on the legislation of the country. Naturally enough such assertions do not had much favor with the Premier, and on Wednesday night, after stating the concessions he was prepared to make on the Local Government "Voting Reform Bill, he deelared that he would not allow him self to be driven any further. His opponents, he said, would be saying in the recess that he had run away from his Bills, and that the Opposition had dictated the business of the country— Taylor: "That's just what they say, and unfortunately it's true."

After next week the House will sifc on Mondays for the consideration ot Government business. The House also decided last night by 25 votes to 22 that on two days a week the standing orders would be suspended to allow fresh business to be taken after mid night. The latter proposal evoked strong objection from the Opposition.
