When he says that it is to tbe interest of farmers and agriculturists that a protective policy should be adopted, he ought to give at least a tittle of proof m favor of such a ridiculous and oft refuted statement. He should have given some evidence that a farmer has to pay no more for his clothing) imple mentsanda hundred-and-one necessaries of life if their importation be restricted by a, protective tariff. He should also have shown how such a policy could increase the price of our wool, hides, tallow, frozen meat and grain, which must always be regulated by the Home markets — until New Zealand is such an effete, overcrowded old country that it is no longer able to produce any surplus for export. Farmers are shrewd men, and they know that protection increases their expenses, but can never affect their incomes except unfavorably. It may do this with a vengeance, as we saw when the coal tax was proposed. Had that been carried into operation, we know that the immediate effect would have been to take away one of our most paying outlets for agricultural produce — the Sydney market. When he deals with his own depart ment, Mr Ballance is undoubtedly entitled to the credit which he claims for his exertions m passing the Consoli dated Land Act of last session. He has also made a genuine attempt to promote further settlement, although hitherto he has not been able to point to any large measure of success as having attended his efforts. With regard to the natives, it is true there has been a reduction of the constabulary m the native districts, and that there have been no serious disturbances. We must remember, however, that the back of the native difficulty was effectually broken by Mr Bryce. All that Mr Ballance has done since has been to promise the natives impossible things — things that Parliament will never sanction. The real test of Mr Ballance's policy will come when the natives find out that his promises are incapable of fulfilment. We shall then see whether matters will go quite 80 smoothly as they do at present. 