N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887.

Seldom, indeed, has it happened in Parliamentary history for the Address-in-Reply to be carried within twentysix hours after the opening of Parliament. To get-rid so speedily of this customary obstacle to the progress of business is an unmixed blessing. No waste of time could be more irritating than that which would have taken place had the Address been debated, for nothing could possibly have come of it, unless, indeed, mischief. The Opposition acted very wisely in declining premature action, and in interposing no hindrances to the passage of the Representation Bill. The Premier, according to promise, gave notice of that Bill at Wednesday’s sitting, and it was read a first time yesterday. The prospects of the Bill need not now be discussed. Our own opinion ha 3 been more than once expressed. But assuming that the Representation Bill is really got out of the way, then will come a question still important and still more troublesome to deal with—that of the financial situation. We are glad to find that the Opposition party are fully alive to its urgency, and intend to make it the subject of their special attention, and we trust that the Government will treat the House with entire openness and candour. Without takingan unduly gloomy view of the Colony’s position, it must have long been manifest to every thoughtful observer that our finances are in a state from which the welfare of the Colony demands that they shall be extricated with all possible speed. The idle parrot-cry that those who seek to probe the position thoroughly and to obtain a clear and accurate statement are “ running down the Colony ” and “ damaging its credit,” will no longer have any influence on members’ minds. They have learned by experience the futility of : all attempts to “ hush up ’’ disagreeable matters and the folly of putting forth rose-coloured pictures which fade away under the simplest analysis. What is now needed is that Parliament Bhould ha ?e before it a plain, unvarnished, and complete statement o£ .the Colony’s financial position, and should then set itself to work —regardless of party questions or party interests—to restore the finances to a sound and safe condition. Have the House and

the Government the courage to look the matter straight in the face, and the courage to do all the case requires 1 That is the problem which has to be speedily solved.