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6. The Premier attributes what he considers the unsatisfactory state of the Council to the "anomaly" of the Councillors being appointed for two different periods of service—the majority being still life-members, and the minority appointed for seven years; but if the Council, as at present composed, were all either life-members or appointed for seven years, the Governor does not see how that would alter their opinions, and, consequently, the measures enumerated by the Premier would have met the fate they did under any circumstances. 7. Neither does the Governor see how the different tenures of office existing in the Legislative Council can be termed an " anomaly." It is the natural result of the Act limiting the duration of future appointments to seven years. It was foreseen when the Act was passed, and must continue to exist until it comes into full operation. 8. Having given careful consideration to the Premier's memorandum, the Governor does not consider that there are any grounds for taking exception to the manner in which the Legislative Council performs its functions. Auckland, 29th May, 1894. Glasgow.

Memorandum for His Excellency the Goveenoe. (No. 58.) 25th June, 1894. The Premier presents his compliments, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of His Excellency's memorandum of the 29th May, having reference to the Premier's letter of the 12th October last. That letter called His Excellency's attention to the need that exists for bringing the Legislative Council into a more efficient state. To it the Premier received a reply simply acknowledging the receipt thereof. Since the date of the letter of the 12th October a general election has taken place, and the opinion of the people has been expressed on the several measures which were during the last Parliament rejected By the Legislative Council. The Premier admits that the Council is strong numerically. It is gratifying to His Excellency's Advisers to know that His Excellency considers that the larger portion of the gentlemen who compose the Chamber have ability and statesmanlike qualities equal to those of the members of any other Second Chamber. In this opinion His Excellency's Advisers concur, and are glad to believe that the selection of Councillors last appointed has in no way caused any deterioration of the Second Chamber. The Premier, however, while admitting that the Council is strong numerically, desires to bring under the notice of His Excellency that there are a number of very old and infirm Councillors who cannot, on account of their age and infirmities, give that attention to the matters brought before them which would be expected from younger and more active men. Yet they retain their seats, and, whilst maintaining the numerical strength of the Council, are irregular in attendance, and do not, therefore, do their duty. There are at the present time four members of the Legislative Council absent from the colony, who are unlikely to take any part in the proceedings of Parliament during the session. Between, therefore, those who are infirm and those who are away, the Premier does not expect that more than two-thirds of the members will regularly take their seats. The Premier very respectfully takes exception to the statement made by His Excellency that the Council gave to the measures placed before it that full and careful consideration which was their due. Neither full nor careful consideration was given to several important measures which passed the House of and were sent to the Legislative Council. The only discussion that took place thereon was a more or less hasty expression of opinion that the same should be read some time during the recess, which, in other words, meant that the Council practically refused to discuss these measures or their merits. Yet the Bills in question dealt with matters which the people of the colony and the House of Eepresentatives thought of paramount importance. In paragraph 4 of the memorandum under reply His Excellency states that "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 Council." The Premier is utterly at a loss to understand what meaning His Excellency intended to convey in the words " but under the circumstances in which several Government measures were introduced." All these Bills were introduced in a formal, proper, and constitutional manner, were discussed at length, and were passed by the House of Eepresentatives. The Premier very respectfully ventures to point out that there were no circumstances in the introduction of any measures sent to the Legislative Council to which exception could be reasonably taken, or which should of themselves have caused its rejection. Some of the measures so rejected had been passed two and three times by the House of Eepresentatives. Even those who maintain the right of a nominated Chamber to reject an important policy measure once have hot ventured to claim for it the right of repeating such action. In paragraph 5 His Excellency states, " The Legislative Council, therefore, has so far only done its duty." The Premier very respectfully takes exception to such a contention. The subjectmatters contained in the measures rejected had been before the electorates during the general election held in the year 1890; they were in the interests of the people, and were demanded by the people. The electors of the colony at the last general election for a second time expressed the opinion that the same should be passed into law. The responsibility, therefore, of repeatedly thwarting the will of the self-governing people of the colony rests with the Legislative Council. The Premier is pleased to know that His Excellencyperceives that the electors have declared in favour of these measures, and that he has no doubt, if the Bills are again sent up to the Legislative Council after receiving the sanction of the House of Eepresentatives, that the Council will, as before, do its duty. The duty of the Council is to give effect to the wishes of the people. This it has not always done.

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