CHEAP FREIGHTS WANTED. What were next wanted wore cheap freights to England and cheap railway freights to enable Now Zealand producers to compote with countries more favourably situated; yet certain Chambers of Com merce vigorously opposed a reciprocal tariff with Canada and South Australia. Not withstanding a duty averaging 20 to 35 per cent, against the United States, British Columbia alone imported sheep to the value of £16,800; cattle, .£21,000; horses, £9SOO; bacon and hams, £78,200, for tho yenr end ing 1893. All that was required to bring about these trade relations was an expendi ture of £20,000 a yenr. ANOTHER CHARGE REFUTED. In reference to the charges which bad been made against him of riding in a special compartment of the railway, ho said he did not do this from choice, but from necessity in order that ho might dis charge his Ministerial duties. Personally ho would much prefer riding in a general carriage and enjoying himself with the other passengers. Sir Hurry Atkinson had travelled in exactly a similar way when ho was Colonial Treasurer. THE BORROWING QUESTION. As to tho charge of borrowing, they had only borrowed for advances to settlers, and though tho debt had increased £1,556,000, a portion of this, £1,330,000, was bringing in moro interest than tho Colony paid on tho increase. Tho Government were not favourable to a reversion to tho system of borrowing millions on the London market for political lailways, roads and bridges ; they were, however, favourable to tho

course they had adopted of raising tho £250,000 for tho purchase of Native lands, and opening roads for settlement. At tho same time* they would not bo doing their duty unless they obtained sums to enable some of tho important railways to bd ex tended. What tho Government had already done had resulted in 11,000 addi tional settlers being placed on the land. THE colony’s STEADY I’ROOHESS. Mr Ward then quoted a number of figures to show lliu progress the Colony hud made during tho administration of tho present Government. Notwithstand ing tile depression in prices, the private wealth of tho Colony from 1890 to 1891 had increased by .612,5011.000. Ho briefly I defended tho action of tho Government in reference to tho banking legislation of last session. Tin-: COWARDLY ATTACKS UPON HIMSELF. 