A.—lβ

4

Ministers would respectfully point out that the party in power has appointed nineteen Councillors in six years, and not five, as stated by His Excellency; that these appointments have been made to fill vacancies caused by death, resignation, and forfeiture (which amounted to eighteen), and to give effect to the decision arrived at that four appointments should be made direct from the ranks of labour. No more appointments have been made than were, in the opinion of Ministers, necessary to fill vacancies which had from time to time occurred, and to keep the Council in a state of efficiency. His Excellency was doubtless under a misapprehension when he stated that the number ot Councillors appointed by the present Ministry was unprecedented in the history of this or any other colony for on a reference to A.-5, Vol. I. of the Appendices to the Journals of the House of Eepresentatives, it will be found that from 1866 to 1869 the Stafford GovernmQnt appointed twentyfive members to the Legislative Council, and when there were only twenty-one vacancies. With regard to His Excellency's remarks as to the effect that the action of the Government may have on an incoming Ministry, the Governor is'aware that Ministers do not share those views. Ministers respectfully contend that the fact of the constituencies having returned a majority of members who support the party in power is conclusive evidence that the action of the Government with regard to appointments to the Legislative Council has the approval of the country, and His Excellency's Advisers are prepared to accept the responsibility. The memorandum under reply will be laid on the table of both Houses of the General Assembly, as requested by His Excellency, together with the correspondence in connection thereA. J. Cadman. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation (not given); printing, (1,400 copies), £2 9a.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 3d.]