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Memoeandum for the Hon. the Premier. Wellington, 4th July, 1893. The Governor has received the Premier's memoranda of the 3rd July—Nos. 8, 9, and 10—which he will be happy to forward to the Secretary of State. Though it would be easy for him to reply to memorandum No. 8, the Governor does not propose to do so, as he considers that on the adoption by him of the advice of the Secretary of State as to the appointments to the Council the incident was closed : but this did not preclude him from writing freely to the Secretary of State his opinion, which he still holds, on the present situation, and he maintains his right to adopt this course. In reply to the Premier's reference to paragraph 188 of the Colonial Office Begulations, the Governor considered he had " a special reason " for the course he took as regards his despatch of the 3rd December to Lord Eipon, The Governor authorises the Premier to lay this memorandum and those above mentioned before both Houses of the General Assembly. Glasgow.

Mbmoeandum for His Excellency the Goveenob. (No. 30.) Premier's Office, Wellington, 12th October, 1893. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and desires to bring under his notice the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Legislative Council, and to point out that, as matters stand, it is impossible to get such legislation passed as the Government consider desirable and necessary in the interests of the colony. As His Excellency is aware, twelve of the Legislative Councillors were, on the recommendation of the late Government, appointed for a period of seven years, the remainder being in the Council for life. That such an anomaly should exist is very questionable, and, as will be seen by the division-lists enclosed herewith, the voting on the several Bills under discussion is most marked, the great majority of the life-members voting for the rejection of the measures, whilst those recently appointed have voted in favour of the passing of the same. Several important policy measures were amongst the Bills rejected. The Government Eailways Bill was rejected by the division on clause 3 : Ayes, 15 ; noes, 20. The second reading of the Shops and Shop-assistants Bill was refused—Ayes, 11; noes, 25; whilst Part 111. of the Eating Bill, which was intended to give relief to settlers by exempting improvements from local rating, was thrown out by nine votes to fifteen. Then, the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bill was so mutilated that it had to be dropped. The second reading of the Land for Settlements Bill was also rejected, only three of the life-members of the Council voting therefor. Several of the Bills rejected were before the Council on a previous occasion, after having been passed by large majorities in the House of Eepresentatives. Under these circumstances the Premier respectfully desires to bring under His Excellency's notice the necessity that exists for bringing the Council into a more efficient state, so that the present Administration may have some reasonable hope of passing such legislation as will, in the opinion of Ministers, promote the well-being of the people and the prosperity of the colony generally. E. J. Seddon.

Memorandum for the Peemibe. The Governor has received the Premier's memorandum of yesterday's date, drawing his attention to what is, in the Premier's opinion, the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Legislative Council. Under existing circumstances, the Governor reserves his opinion on the questions raised in the memorandum, and begs to assure the Premier that any further communications from him on this subject will receive the Governor's serious consideration. Glasgow. 13th October. 1893.

Memoeandum for the Peemiee. The following memorandum has reference to that of the Premier, dated 12th October last, calling the Governor's notice to " the unsatisfactory condition of affairs in the Legislative Council," and the Premier's conviction " of the necessity that exists for bringing the Council into a more efficient state ": — 2. To this the Governor made a merely formal reply at the time; but, as the Premier's memorandum will shortly be laid on the table of the House of Assembly, even if he does not propose to take any action on it, the Governor feels that to leave it altogether unnoticed might cause his motives to be misconstrued. 3. The Council is now nearly as strong numerically as at any stage of its existence; it contains as large a proportion of men of ability, experience, and statesmanlike qualities as any other Second Chamber ; it has given to all measures placed before it the full and careful consideration which was their due : the Governor is therefore unable to consider the Council in any way inefficient. 4. It is true that, after full discussion, it amended and even rejected several Government measures; but, under the circumstances in which they were introduced, there is no doubt that the Council acted strictly within its rights under the Constitution of the colony. 5. The Legislative Council has therefore, so far, only done its duty. Since last session a general election has taken place, and the result doubtless expresses the present views of the electorates. Should, therefore, any of the measures it previously rejected be again sent up to the Legislative Council, after receiving the sanction of the House of Eepresentatives, the Governor cannot doubt that the Council will, as before, do its duty, and, in view of the altered circumstances, waive any objections it may still entertain to them.