Seddon referred to the difficult position in which he was placed on tbe present occasion, inasmuch as Mr Rolleston, as the leader of the Opposition, had abrogated his position to his friend the member for Ellesmere. He (Mr Sed don) had been twitted with not having sufficient courage to reply to the speech made by Sir John Hall, but a good general chose bis own time to act, and he had chosen the present opportunity. The de bate had not been unduly prolonged, and it was only natural that members on both sides should be anxiou. to place their views before the country on such an im portant occasion. He had no desire to be personal in what he was about to say, and he hoped that when he sat down there would be no heartburnings. As to the financial policy of the Government, that had scarcely been touched at all by the Opposition, and this placed him in a difficult position. He would indeed assert tbat if two- thirds of the Opposition speeches had been analysed they would be found to be rather in favour of the Financial Statement than otherwise. No apology waa required from eitber side of the House for the length of this debate, and there was no foundation whatever in the statement that the debate had been prolonged owing to a side issue. He had heard that Mr Rolleston was wait ing for him (Mr Seddon) to speak, and further that Mr Rolle-ton would not have addressed the House unless the Premier had done so. He (Mr Seddon) held that if he had spoken after Sir John Hall he would have been accused of a deßire to bring the debate to a close. He regrett.d that the Colony was about to lose the services of Sir John Hall, and he desired to compliment that honourable gentleman on the speech he made on the Statement, At the Bame time he (Mr Seddon) could not withdraw a single word he had said re specting Sir John Hall's old colleague, a gentleman whom he (Mr Seddon) greatly respected, although he differed from him politically. _ The records of 1879 would not allow him to forget it, even if he were willing ti do so. He asserted that Bince 1879 there had been borrowing and reck less expenditure, and the land of the people had been partad witb. 