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comparatively easy to remit a number of taxes which are either oppressive or irksome, making good the loss to the exchequer by increasing the land sales; but the unwisdom of thus dissipating our capital without regard to the primary interests of beneficial occupation would be at once apparent. We assume then, Sir, that the Land Fund was not colonializcd in order to supply deficiencies in the ordinary revenue, or to prevent a reconsideration of the question of taxation. If this view of the character of the Land ReA renue be generally entertained, Aye shall be able to approach the question of a change in the incidence of taxation with our minds free from considerations about the probable amount likely to be derived from that source in the future.' Exceptionally favoured years in respect of land sales will mean simply that a large auxiliary aid to the prosecution of public works Avill be forthcoming. With this distinction between land and general revenue understood, I may at once state that Aye do not see our way, even w Tere it desirable, to propose large remissions without at the same time providing a means of compensating the revenue. On this point I will have something more to say as I proceed to develop our proposals, and I shall refer now to reductions. It often folloAvs that if the remissions of Customs duties are gradually and judiciously made, the consumer is relieved, while the revenue soon, recovers itself. This experience, hoAvever, does not apply to total remission; but I would point out that the revenue derives less benefit from a great number of trifling duties, than trade sustains injury by their imposition. Having briefly alluded to the principles on which we have proceeded, the Committee will be prepared to hear our proposals. We propose, then, to abolish altogether certain Customs duties which either fall on the necessaries of life, or clog the wheels of industry, or render more complex and costly the system of collection, the list embracing the following:—The duty on grain, which yields £3,930 ; the duty on flour, which yields £5,080 ; on maizena and corn flour, £545 ; on sago, £299; on arrowroot, £206 ; on bacon and hams, £136 ; on butter and cheese, £64; on artizans' tools, £249 ; on building materials not otherwise enumerated, £161; on axles, axle-arms, and boxes, £316; on cart-shafts, spokes, &c, £100 ; on photographic goods, £237 ; on baskets and wicker-ware, £103; on perambulators, £125; on steel, £117; on iron fencing-wire, £5,038; on paints wet or dry, £2,051; and on twenty-four minor articles, the duty on Avhich yields £939. The total of these remissions amounts to £19,726. The Tea and Sugar Duties, though last on our list, are first in point of importance. The demand for " a free breakfast-table " may not at first sight appear to have the same meaning in the colony as in the mother country; but Avhen we consider the immense proportion of the taxation which these articles yield, and that the labouring classes are the principal consumers, we may be able to realize the justice of the complaint of the breakfast-table. If we do not at once grant complete emancipation to the breakfast-table, Aye shall show our sincerity by giving substantial relicf —as much relief as Aye can afford in the present year, and therefore, keeping in view the stability of our finance, as much as would promote the welfare of the classes particularly affected. I have estimated the revenue on tea this year at £84,000, and Aye propose to reduce the duty from 6d. to 4d. per lb., giving a relief to the tea-drinkers of £28,000 a year. Tea being a universal beverage, I have not estimated any recovery from increased consumption. The Sugar Duty mainly bears on the same classes as does the duty on tea, but it affects a number of industries which require special consideration. A reduction of duty, in the first place, might possibly tend to prevent or retard the cultivation of sugar in the colony. To Avhatever extent it would in this way operate the existing rate now offers prospective protection. The benefit in thus encouraging the establishment of the industry is, perhaps, more hypothetical than real; for it is probable that in but few instances is the amount of protective duty to be placed in comparison with soil, climate, the price of labour, and other circumstances, in determining the success of such an industry. Whether this will cA rer be a sugargrowing country or not, it is likely to have an increasing commercial intercourse Avith those countries which can produce sugar under the most favourable influences, and the exchange of productions with them will be stimulated by the invitation to reciprocity which we hold out by the reduction of our import duties, The reduction in the price of sugar Avould probably largely