Mr PEARCE could well understand that those hon members who had been formerly supporters of the Government found them* selves in a very trying position when they were met by the direct charge which had been ad vanced by the Opposition, and especially when an impression had been gradually gaining

ground that .the administration of the public works had been faulty. It could not be denied that the majority of those who were returned at the elections of 1871 were those who sup ported the policy of the Government, though it must be admitted that many members ac cepted that policy with fear. It was worthy of observation that those who opposed the Government did so from an unreasoning op position. He said an unreasoning opposition because it certainly was singular that the strongest condemnation had proceeded from those hon members, such as the hon member for Invercargill, who came from districts where the public works had been muddled and mismanagement by the provincial authorities. He believed the opinion of the country was now much stronger in favor of Ministers than it had ever been ; and why should they seek to turn out a Ministry which had given so much satisfaction —a Ministry which had suc ceeded in bringing about a prosperity which redounded so much to their credit. Any person who made a comparison between the state of affairs when the hon member for Titnaru took office and those at present in existence could not but remember the stagnation that existed at the time when the present Ministry took office, the absolute want of confidence that prevailed, and the alarming position which affairs were assuming? Since the present Ministry took office an entirely new state of things were initiated. Our relations with the natives were such that we might he said to be in a perfect state of peace ; the country was satisfied with the way iu which its affairs was being conducted ; residents in all parts of t.lie country were improving their estates ; busi ness people in the cities were adding to tli-ir premises and their trade; and in the face of such a transition it would be unwise to return to the mismanagement of the former adminis tration. 