The Bruce Herald. "Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 11, 1880.

Bruce Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 1211, 11 June 1880, Page 3

The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, JUNE 11, 1880.

Periiaps at no previous Session of the New Zealand Parliament has the Colonial Treasurer's financial statement been looked forward to wilh more intense interest and anxiety than was evinced previous and up to its delivery t>y the Hon. Major Atkinson, on Tuesday evening last. Well might the House be crammed to suffocation in all parts, in order to enable as many as possible to listen to the revelations of the true state of oui public finances, after the recent crisis. Thanks to the undoubted ability of the Treasurer, the public have not been disappointed in their expectations ; on the contrary : those who were fortunate enough to hear the speech delivered, must have come to the conclusion

that th^Colony may be congratulated on the fact of possessing such a talented exponent and financier in the time of need. We'dbnot remember haying ever perused a more statesmanlike document since the foundation of the ' Colony, and yet, at no previous period, have its finances been in such a complicated, we might almost say intricate, state. .It cannot be denied that even in the best financial scheme which might be produced, some defects must 6ccur; but we maintain that, when we consider the difficulties with which the present Miaistry has had to grapple, Major Atkinson's atatement is, comparatively, singularly free of shortcomings. Not only has he mastered the situation of the moment, but he also points out the future financial policy of the government in a clear and comprehensive manner. Even his opponents cannot well do otherwise than candidly admit that the right man is in the right place, and under these circumstances we apprehend that, whatever little differences may crop up between the Opposition and the Ministry, in reference to its finan* cial policy, they will, in all probability, be amicably settled. The country, in its present condition, could ill afford to see its public affairs once more thrown into confusion by another change in its administration, and we feel inclined to believe that such a change would be contrary to the wishes of by far the great majority of the inhabitants throughout the Colony. In fact, if such was to take place, it would amount to nothing less than a calamity. A Ministry which has so earnestly gone to work in the retrenchment of our enormous public expenditure, and is otherwise making immense efforts in gradually extricating New Zealand out of all her difficulties, deserves our warmest support. Unity is sti - ength, and by unity alone can we hope to be brought back, in due course of time, to that prosperity, which one of the finest British possessions on the Southern Hemisphere ought never to have lost ; and which, if once re-established, is not likely to again leave its shores. We intend, as occasion offers, to make a few remarks on such portions of the financial statement as may probably be discussed during the Session.