FACTS AND FIGURES.

Evening Star, Issue 2995, 24 September 1872, Page 4

FACTS AND FIGURES.

The reckless extravagance of the Stafford Ministry, and the economy of the late Government, may be fully exemplified in the following figures for defence expenditure, which we cull from the Blue Books :

Had the Stafford Ministry remained in office, the defence expenditure would soon have exceeded half a million per annum. In order to show the progressive expenditure incurred by that Ministry for defence purposes during their last six months of office, we quote from Mr Gisborne’s speech in the Legislative Council, on the 23rd August, 1809. He said—- “ The defence expenses for the month of January, ISG9, was, in round numbers, L 30,000, and the number of men 2089 ; for February, L 27,000, and 1991 men; for March L29J100, and 2650 men ; for April, L 30.090, and 2546 men ; for May, L 35,000, and 2769 men ; and for June, L4JOOO, and 2956 men. We could give further proof by figures to show the extravagance of the Government Mr Stafford was connected with, or that affairs have been more economically administered by the late Ministry, if space permitt ;d. We have merely quoted the above as an example of wbat may be expected from the gentlemen now in office. But perhaps the true test of a successful administration —is in private matters—-is the confidence those lending money have in the country or individuals they are lending it to" The latest telegrams to hand, furnish us with the pri«a o£ New Zealand securities, which, by placing in juxtaposition with the prices quoted when Mr Stafford left office are sufficient evidence, we think, that th; late Ministry have done more to raise the English capitalists’ confidence in the Colony than any previous Government. July 16, 1869. July 11, 1872. N. Zealand 6 per cs. 104 to 106 111 to 1124 N. Zealand 5 per cs. to 94£ 104 This shows that the six per cents, have risen L 7, and the five per cents. LlO ; whereas during the previous three years the six per cents, dropped from 111 to 104, and the live per cents, from 100 to 93£. We fear that the House has male a political blunder, which if not rectified in some measure before the close of the session, may be the cause of ruining a splendid scheme, and be the means of preventing the further developeraent of the resources of the Colony. Taranaki 1 Jerald.

STAFFORD S FOX-VOGEL MINISTRY. MINISTRY.' 1866-7 ... £327,180 1869-70 ... £252.499 1867-8 109,025 1870-71 ... 172,689 1868-9 ... 330,000 1871-72 ... 122,898 £766,205 £548,086