ith
an Opposition member, as I was anxious to return home to review my
business operations, and did not suspect any party measures.

At the opening of the 1890 session, I caught a very severe cold in
Brisbane, which developed into "La Grippe," and I was confined to my
room for seven weeks. During this time the Morehead Government
introduced a "Property Tax," which met with strong opposition from
McIlwraith--who was still in the Cabinet--and his supporters, of which I
was one. Morehead carried his proposals by two. He felt that this
majority did not justify his continuing in office, so he retired. The
coalition between Griffith and McIlwraith followed. Both knights offered
me a position in the Cabinet as Honorary Minister, but as I was to be
considered as a Central member, I declined the honour. The House
adjourned for two months. I decided to visit my electorate to inform my
constituents of the position, and at a meeting in Winton they endorsed
my action. I returned to Brisbane overland by coach, _via_ Barcaldine,
thence rail to Jericho, and by coach to Blackall, Tambo, Augathella and
Charleville, and on to Brisbane by rail. This route was in consequence
of the maritime strike, through which all steamers were laid up.

[Illustration: SIR SAMUEL WALKER GRIFFITH]

At the close of the 1890 session, I made a trip to Melbourne, and made
the acquaintance of a gentleman who persuaded me to join him in a trip
to New Zealand. We called at Hobart _en route_, and landed at the Bluff,
proceeding to Invercargill by rail. By this trip I renewed the
acquaintance of bygone years with many old friends from North
Queensland, who had become residents of New Zealand.

Before leaving the Dominion there were rumours of an intended strike of
shearers in Queensland. When I reached Sydney I found this had
eventuated, and as the House was in recess, I proposed visiting my
electorate, but was prevented doing so because of the heavy floods
stopping all traffic.

During the Parliamentary session of 1891, there were many stormy scenes
and debates in connection with the shearers' strike, which took place
throughout the pastoral districts of Queensland and New South Wales. The
causes for the strike and incidents are of public history. It is,
therefore, not necessary for me to do more than to mention it.

After the coalition was formed, Sir Thomas McIlwraith announced his
policy of a ten years' extension of the "Polynesian Act."

Sir Samuel Gri