13

B.—l

time when the colonists will no longer dread additions to the population in the shape of suitable immigration. The North Island Trunk Kailway must be pushed on with every possible expedition. It will open to the colony a new world: it will be as though it was increasing by one-third its territory. Let U3 encourage the progress of industries, whether they be agricultural, mineral, pastoral, or manufacturing. Still one thing remains—the system of local government must be improved. The edifice cannot be crowned without we have a satisfactory system of local self-governing institutions. My task is concluded. I wish I could have discharged it with more force and ability. Still, I shall not have striven in vain if I have succeeded in impressing honourable members with my own strong conviction that the finances of New Zealand are not in a condition of difficulty; that they are suffering only from mismanagement; that they are elastic and buoyant enough to satisfy the most exacting financier; that oppressive taxation is not required; and that, under good government, we may safely rely on a progressive improvement of the country's resources.

3—B. 1.