B.—No. 1b

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

6

large sums of money I have just enumerated. The difficulties of Hew Zealand at the present time are undoubtedly serious, but the issue is mainly in the hands of the Colonists themselves. That issue depends not principally or even so much on the conduct and proceedings of the rebel Natives, as on the manner in which they are met by us. If we do not shrink from whatever sacrifices may be necessary to meet the emergency with energy and success ; if we will, for the time at any rate, stay the political and domestic strife by which we are now distracted, and afford hearty support to whatever men may for the time have placed in their hands the government of the country; if we present to our rebel foe the aspect of a determined and united people, instead of an opponent whose ranks are weakened by dissension and discord, then I have no fear of the result. But if we cannot, in the presence of difficulty and danger, suspend even for a time our political wrangling ; if wo must cripple the hands and fetter the action of the Government and encourage our opponents by the absence of any unity or concord amongst ourselves, then lam bound to say I have the gloomiest forebodings for tho future. I ask the Committee to deal with our proposals in the spirit I have indicated. So far as the Government is concerned, no party considerations actuate them ; we desire not to promote the success of any section or party, but to insure the safety and the welfare of tho Colony at large—to free it from its present embarrassments, dangers, and difficulties —without considering the political consequences to ourselves of any action we may adopt. With these views we are ready to proceed with the difficult work which at the present time lies before the Government of this Colony, and we appeal to the patriotism and the public spirit of members of this House to support us in that arduous task.