In 1894 the session opened on 17th July, and one of the most hotly contested measures was the Peace Preservation Bill, introduced in consequence of the disturbances connected with the shearers' strike in the West in 1891, and the apprehension that they would be repeated unless drastic legislation was enacted. Its passage was strenuously opposed by the Labour Opposition, and it was only forced through the Assembly by the application of the closure. Violent scenes culminated in the suspension of eight Labour members, the suspension being followed by an appeal by the ejected members to the Supreme Court, when that court decided that Parliament was the only tribunal for determining matters affecting its own jurisdiction. In all thirty-six measures were passed, but the majority were either financial or designed to amend existing statutes which caused friction in operation. The effort at this time seemed to be rather to pass practicable laws than enact measures embodying so-called advanced principles. The most noteworthy of these laws was the Agricultural Lands Purchase Act, which authorised the purchase by the Government of large estates at a cost not exceeding L100,000 in any one year, and the subdivision of the land into farms. In 1895 thirty-five Acts were the product of the session, and they were generally characterised by the same adaptation of means to ends that was noticeable in the preceding year. In fact, during these two years the colonies were all suffering a recovery which did not incite to heroic legislation for securing the rights of man, including woman. Deserving of special mention are the Suppression of Gambling Act, and the Railways Guarantee Act which made provision for local authorities guaranteeing the State against loss in connection with the construction and working of railways built under the Act. In consequence of friction between the three Railway Commissioners, an Act was passed in this year reducing the number of Commissioners to one, Mr. Mathieson, the Chief Commissioner, being retained. A short measure of considerable value was the Standard Time Act, the object of which was to place Queensland in line with New South Wales and Victoria by adopting the time of the 150th meridian of east longitude as the standard time for the three colonies. [Illustration: BARRON GORGE, CAIRNS RAILWAY, NORTH QUEENSLAND] THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT: 17th June, 1896-15th February, 1899.