Thursday Morning.

The National Council met at 10 a.m. in the Provincial Council Chambers. Mrs Daldy was voted to the chair. The following were present: Mrs Sheppard, Lady Stout, Mesdames Fleming, Sievwright, Tasker, Alley, Izett, Willamson, Hatton, Schnackenberg, Daldy, Miss Sherriff Bain, and the Secretary. The minutes of the previous session were read and confirmed.

Mrs Sheppard proposed, and Mrs Schnackenberg seconded : " That this council go into Committee on National Council work at 11.30 a.m." Carried.

Mrs Schnackenberg's motion, seconded by Mrs Sheppard, resulted in the following emendation being accepted: the resolution to stand with the omission of the words " as in the present Licensing Act." The resolution then passed read as follows: " That in the opinion of this Council every political question should be decided by the majority of voters that go to the poll. That any de- page 8 viation from this role is subversive of a great political principle, and a reocgnition of a supposed right of government by a minority." Mrs Williamson and Mrs Izett recorded their votes against it.

The following notice of motion was tabled by Mrs Alley: " That the transactions of the National Council be printed in their entirety for distribution to their respective societies, and for sale to the public."

Mr G. J. Smith then addressed the meeting on " Party Government, Elective Executive, Referendu, and Reform of the Upper House."

Mrs Sievwright tabled the following notices of motion: (1). That this Council is of opinion that the system of Party Government in New Zealand has many evils connected with it, and is not suited to the circumstances of the Colony. (2). That this Council approves of the proposal for an Elective Executive a a a remedy. (3). It is also of opinion that some reform is necessary in the constitution of the Legislative Council. (4). It heartily supports the principle of the Referendum, and trusts that these reforms will be carried at an early date.

The delegates then went into Committee.

The Constitution or the National Council was considered and adopted, as set forth in former pages.