B.—B.

XXVIII

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC. This country, in common with other parts of the world, has recently been visited with an influenza epidemic of unusual virulence, which I regret to say lias caused many deaths amongst our population. Heartfelt sympathy will, I am sure, be expressed by the members of this House as well as by the general public of New Zealand with those who have suffered, and with the relatives of those who have unfortunately passed away from sickness due to this cause. The; efforts of the Government to arrest the spread of the disease have been ably seconded by Hospital Boards, local authorities, and private individuals, a great many of whom, at personal risk and at great inconvenience to themselves, have given their services voluntarily for the purpose of succouring and nursing the sick, and I desire to express the country's thanks and gratitude to all those who have assisted in this manner. The Public Health Department has been put to a considerable amount of expense in endeavouring to arrest the spread of the disease, and .1. propose; to ask the House to make suitable provision for this expenditure. CONCLUSION, Having now placed the financial position of the country before the Committee, I will conclude by thanking honourable members for the patient hearing which they have accorded me. Since I last had the honour of delivering a Financial Statement to members of this House many great changes have been brought about in the economic conditions of Europe, and, I may say, of the whole world, owing to the complete victory which our Empire and her Allies have achieved over the forces which stood for despotism and world domination. In this most momentous struggle for freedom and justice the military forces of this country have played no inconsiderable part. The British troops and those of our Allies have by their great services won a name that will never die. We are all proud that our own citizen soldiers should have been honourably associated with them in the greatest war in the world's history. The country will, I hope, ere long be welcoming the return to their homes of her gallant soldiers, and it will be our boundeu duty to make suitable provision not only for those who are about to return, but for those who have already returned, and for those who are incapacitated, as a result of their military service, from performing their accustomed duties. New Zealand has suffered an irreparable loss by the death of those of her sons who have made the supreme sacrifice and have laid down their lives in the cause of freedom and righteousness. Our heartfelt sympathy will go out to the relatives of those great men. But if we consider lor a moment the immensity of the issues which were at stake and for which we fought, and the completeness of our victory, it cannot be said that our losses in men and material will have been in vain. It is difficult to estimate the future effects of this great upheaval of the nations, but the enormous wastage caused by the devastation in Europe must be replaced, production will be stimulated, and trade increased. It is essential, therefore, that we should be prepared to take advantage of the increased activities in commercial and industrial pursuits, when the opportunity arrives, by encouraging to the utmost extent the productivity of this country and the extension of local industries and. land-settlement. This can only be attained, however, if all classes of the community will make up their minds to co-operate with one another and combine to work in harmony for their mutual benefit and for the advantage of the country. Let us go forward, therefore, filled with thankfulness for our great victory, and with a cheerful and inflexible determination to work together for the advancement of peace and for the promotion of industry, with the full knowledge that this remarkable country will respond to our efforts, and will, through the strength and energy of her people, and the natural advantages with which she has been endowed, continue to develop along lines which will eventually enable her to fulfil her high destiny and win a place of honour among the nations.