In 1896 there was a general election, and the new Parliament opened on 17th June. Public confidence had been fairly restored after the financial crisis of 1893, and thirty-five Acts were passed, not one of which was of a highly contentious political nature. Even the Factories and Shops Act, introduced by the Government, was supported by the Labour party; indeed, no party or section opposed it, although the compulsory closing of shops at 1 p.m. on Saturdays throughout an area within the radius of ten miles of the General Post Office excited much individual opposition. Mr. Mathieson having accepted the position of Chief Commissioner of the Victorian railways, an amending Railways Act was passed empowering the Governor in Council to appoint a Commissioner for three years, reducing the salary from L3,000 to L1,500, and providing for the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner. Mr. R. J. Gray, one of the three original Commissioners, was appointed Commissioner, and Mr. Thallon, the present Commissioner, became his deputy. A measure of some importance repealed the existing Payment of Members Act, and made the new Act an integral part of the Constitution, the salary being fixed at L300 a year. The object, as stated by the Government, was to stop the incessant agitation that was carried on in political circles on the one hand for an increase, and on the other for a reduction of the salary. In the session of 1897, Sir Hugh Nelson being still Premier, thirty Acts were passed. There was again a remarkable absence of measures of a party character, most of them being useful amendments of existing laws. Of these the Elections Consolidating Act was important. The Home Secretary, Mr. J. F. G. Foxton, deserves credit for introducing this session the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act, the first measure for the preservation and care of our fast-disappearing aboriginal blacks. It must be recorded with shame that the Government of Queensland should have allowed so many years to pass before taking steps to protect the race who had been dispossessed of their heritage from some of the curses attendant on our civilisation. Since 1897 the stigma no longer rests on our fair fame, everything possible being done now to save the natives from extinction. In this year, too, the Mareeba to Chillagoe Railway Act, which has proved very beneficial to the Cairns hinterland, became law. A comprehensive Land Act, occupying 110 pages of the Statute-book, was passed, and also an amending and consolidating Trustees and Executors Act.