The form in which tho restoration of provincialism will probably be first attempted in the next Parliament is that of federation. By this is meant the creation of distinct and separate legislatures for each of the principal islands of New Zealand, connected by the nexus of a General Legislature common to both. The principle of this system was stated in a motion placed on the Order Paper of last meeting of the Assembly by Mr Pyke, and the framework of the system was also placed on the Order Paper by Mr Macasdeew in a series of proposals defining the respective functions of the Provincial and General Govern ments to be established. These pro posals conclude with a request that the Government should prepare, against next meeting of Parliament, a Bill to give effect to them, such Bill to be submitted within one week of the commencement of the session. It thus appears that the circum stances connected with the initiation of this reactionary movement are so specific as to leave little doubt about the future intentions of its authors. It will not, of course, be expected by anyone that any such step as that suggested will be taken by the Ministry. In fact, no such step could be taken by them, even if the proposals had been formally submitted to and adopted by the House. Indeed, the request that they should prepare a Bill to give effect to such proposals, when looked at in the light of Ministerial responsi bility, reads very like a piece _ of grim irony, for if there be one thing more incumbent than another upon any Ministry it is to administer and pre serve the Constitution under which they took office. Yet this will not prevent the authors of the movement from en deavoring to forward their own plans, but will rather act as an incentive to their doing so. Let us therefore examine before hand the nature of this federa tive scheme of government, and the claims to public support which may be pled in its favor. It may be remarked at the outset that in the existing circumstances of this colony, federative government is quite a mis nomer. 