The fusion of the two parties led to the immediate resignation of two Ministers and the formation of an Independent Opposition by these gentlemen and four more seceders from the Kidston party. A reconstruction of the Cabinet followed, three members of the Philp party taking office under Mr. Kidston. Mr. Philp declined to accept a portfolio, but undertook to give the new Government support as an unofficial member of the Assembly, an undertaking most loyally observed. Dissatisfaction was naturally felt by several members at the composition of the Cabinet, and when Parliament met on 17th November it was evident that the fusion had not had the desired effect of reducing the number of parties to two. On the Opposition side of the Chamber were the Labour party in direct opposition and the Independent Opposition of six sitting on the cross-benches, while on the Government back cross-benches were three or four members who joined forces with the Opposition in every division. The cohesive majority was still large enough to enable the Government to pass several railways, two or three bills, and the Estimates; but, unfortunately, it was found necessary to have recourse again to the closure to get the Estimates through the House before Christmas. Further defections took place during the recess. The sudden death of the Speaker, Mr. John Leahy, and the election for Bulloo of a Labour member in his stead, reduced the Government majority to two. Such a condition of affairs rendered it impossible for any party in the House to carry on public business. A trial of strength took place over the election of a Speaker when the House met on 29th June, the Government having a majority of two. Two days later Mr. Bowman, the leader of the Labour party, moved a want of confidence amendment on the Address in Reply. A very protracted and acrimonious debate took place, and the motion was only defeated by a majority of one in a full House. Arrangements had been made earlier in the year for the holding of a conference of Commonwealth and State Premiers and Treasurers with a view to making a final effort to arrive at a mutual understanding regarding the financial relations of the Commonwealth and the States after the expiry of the ten-year period provided for by section 87 of the Commonwealth Constitution. As it was considered highly important that Queensland should be represented at this Conference, which was to be held in mid-August, the Government secured an adjournment for a fortnight, but only by applying the closure.