When the effect o£ ttie proceedings of the House during the last few days comes to be properly realised by the country those gentlemen who are responsible for the debate will, we are convinced, deeply regret the course of action they have pursued. Let us con sider for one moment what the position actually is. The present Parliament was elected for a distinct and specific: • purpose. It was returned in order to give effect to the matured conviction; of the country that a complete change was needed in the conduct of our; finances. For years, prior to 1887,' the colony had been drifting from bad I. to worse. Not only were the finances ] in disorder ; what waSj a*l far, more serious matter, confidence in the colony and its future had been severely shaken, both abroad and I amongst ourselves. 'Business was ' depressed, and a general clo'ad of gloom had settled over the country. la the midstof all this, a serious attempt was made to galvanise, the colony into activity by means of" the oft-tried remedy, borrowed money. It was; taken for. granted that the proposal, would be hailed with delight from: Auckland to- the Bluff. Instead,! however, of meeting with that; reception, the suggestion seemed! to- asraken the country to a sense' of its position. It had had more than ; eriougn of the squandering policy, and there arose a widespread demand for. ..the, adoption of. something quite different. The mere act of coming to this sensible conclusion seemed to in fuse fresh vitality into the popular mind, an& from'that date" things began slowly to improve. The country, sub-1 mitted to the methods proposed for securing finanoial equilibrium, from' the conviction J;hat in determining to make both ends meet arid proceed ing to give effect tothat determina tion, the attitude of our. critics", at ! Home and elsewhere would imme-jj dfately alter. The tariff changes were agreed to as absolutely necessary,: although the proposals did not falL in with. the theoretical views of many of those who assented to th<e.tn.i All these present. sacrifices. were made ; in the belief that in th,e; near future the colony would be: enormously, benefited thereby, and $hej hopes formed have to a /large extent ..beea-.;ifulfiUed. The prospect ahead is comparatively cheerful. 