always been of opinion that the Southern Members especially would support any Government which would relieve the Middle Island of their share of a heavy war expenditure. What a strange man Mr. Gillies is! but the course he is pursuing only makes it manifest by what he is actuated - There is also another gentleman who would distinguish himself if he could, a Mr. Collins, but he too shows the cloven hoof so unmistakenly that Stafford cannot feel himself much flattered by his following - In one of Mr. Gillies speeches he describes what he conceives to be the policy of the present Government by irreverently quoting a petition used in the Church of England Prayer Book "Give peace in our time etc." I have heard the same expression from one of our high officials in Auckland when talking of the Policy of present Government, and altho the expression is by them intended ironically I am sure every true colonist will most devoutly say "Amen" to the petition. Time - Time is all we want. If the Govt. can draw the stream of immigration this way and fill up these broad wastes with an industrious population the Colony will go ahead. But if Mr. Gillies had his way - and endeavours to carry matters with a high hand ruin would be the inevitable consequence. It may be necessary to use extreme