Enclosure 4 in No. 9.

Excerpt from "Hansard," 24th June 1892; Legislative Council.

Mr. Rolleston asked the Premier if the rumour which is current to the effect that Ministers have on two occasions during the recess tendered important advice to the Crown affecting the present constitution of the Upper House, and that the advice has not been accepted, is correct; and if so, will he state, for the information of this House, the particulars of the course which Ministers have taken, and what they propose to do under the circumstances?

Mr. Ballance said that to the first part of the question he had to reply that the rumour was correct, that during the recess the Governor had been advised to make such addition to the strength of the Legislative Council as would enable it more effectively to discharge its functions, and to perform them more in harmony with the opinion of the country, and that that advice had not been accepted.

In answer to the second part of the question he had to say that the Government had conveyed to his Excellency the advice that less than the addition of twelve members would not place the House in a state of efficiency. The course which Ministers might pursue would depend upon the course of legislation.