A.—7a,

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. EXTRACTS FROM RETURNS LAID UPON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN APRIL, 1893.

Laid on the Table of the House of Bepresentatives, by leave.

CONTENTS.

I—A. 7a.

u CO From or to whom. Date. Subject. o3 The Earl of Onslow 1891. 23 January (Received 2 March) Reports that he has, on the advice of Ministers, made certain appointments to the Legislative Council, being the first since 1887, and states his reasons for disregarding petitions made that those appointments should be deferred until after the meeting of Parliament Reports his reasons for declining to appoint eleven new members of the Legislative Council, as desired by Ministers, and that a compromise has been effected by the appointment of six members Encloses copy of a petition from forty members of the House of Representatives against the appointment of any new members of the Legislative Council until after the meeting of Parliament, and defends his action in making appointments Reports that when he accepted Sir Harry Atkinson's advice to appoint six new members of the Legislative Council he was assured that the Government would have the support of thirty-five members of the House of Representatives, as against thirty-two of its opponents Expresses the opinion that, in accepting the advice tendered by Ministers, he acted strictly in accordance with the Constitution of the colony The Earl of Onslow 24 January (Received 2 March) 5 The Earl of Onslow 3 February (Received 20 March) (i The Earl of Onslow 3 February (Received 20 March) 7 To the Earl of Onslow 11 April 7 The Earl of Glasgow 1892. 8 To the Earl of Glasgow .. The Earl of Glasgow The Earl of Glasgow 22 June (Received 4 August) 10 August (Telegraphic) 11 August (Received 11 August. Telegraphic) 8 August (Received 15 Sept.) Reports a request by the Prime Minister, Mr. Ballance, for the appointment of twelve members of the Legislative Council, and states his reasons for declining to appoint more than nine Observes that if the twelve appointments desired by the Ministers were made, a large Opposition majority would still remain, and that the existence of the Upper House may be imperilled unless a more even balance of parties is secured Reports that ho estimates the Legislative Counoil to consist of the Speaker, twelve Ministerialists, and twenty members of the Opposition, and that a reference from Ministers to the Secretary of State is being sent by mail Transmits correspondence relative to the difference which has arisen with his Ministers; submits observations in defence of his action, and claims that he has been actuated solely by a desire to do what is best for the interests of the colony Observes that the Secretary of State fully appreciates the difficulties of the Governor's position, but that ho should at once reopen the matter with his Ministers and waive his objections to their proposals Sets forth the reasons which have led the Secretary of State to advise the Governor to accept the advice of his Ministers, and remarks upon the general constitutional question Reports that ho has acceded to the request of his Ministers that their reference to the Secretary of State and all other despatches on the subject should bo published Reports that he has acted on the advice given in Lord Ripon's telegram of 24th September 9 9 9 To the Earl of Glasgow .. 24 September (Telegraphic) 22 To the Earl of Glasgow .. 2G September .. 22 The Earl of Glasgow 1G August (Received 27 Sept.) 23 The Earl of Glasgow (Received 27 Sept. Telegraphic) 24