8.—6.

POSTSCEIPT.

The Statement I have just read was in print before the Empire became involved in war with all its terrible consequences, and honourable members will know that under the circumstances the estimates of revenue and expenditure may require to be amended. The people of this Dominion may, and no doubt will, have to make sacrifices; but these, I feel sure, will be willingly accepted in the grave crisis which means so much to the Mother-country and the Dominions. Every New-Zealander looks forward to the future with anxiety, it may be but with the calm assurance that everything which it is possible to do is done, and with the hope that when the war comes to an end lasting peace will be secured. Our banks are in an exceptionally strong position, but to make them still more secure and to allay any possible feeling of unrest bank-notes were yesterday by Proclamation made legal tender. The Government desires most earnestly to impress upon our merchants and traders, both wholesale and retail, and distributors, how cruel it will be to attempt by any rise in prices of foodstuffs to reap advantage out of the present trouble, and how patriotic those people will be considered who even at some sacrifice retain the level of prices of foodstuffs in existence before this crisis eventuated. I have every confidence that this warning is unnecessary, but the public may rest assured of this : that the Government has for some days past had under consideration the necessity for active steps to prevent a rise in the price of foodstuffs, and if it is found that legislation is necessary Parliament will be asked to pass that legislation, and to make it retrospective if .need be. In conclusion, may I express the earnest hope that the next Financial Statement may record once again a prosperous year with the balance on the right side. Finally, may the Almighty Giver of all that is good protect our King; his and Councillors, wherever they may be; may He guide them m their deliberations ; may His protecting arm be over all our people, and especially over the soldiers and sailors who are called upon at this time to make, it may be, the supreme sacrifice for King and Empire.