There is tin immense quantity of facts ond figures crammed into it, but tho arrangement is not always bnppj, and m some parts there is v. want of lucidity. On the whole the work is a highly useful con tribntion to tbe financial and social history of the colony. The Ministry were placed m office to carry out drastic retrenchment. Iv a general way this Statement shows, amongst other things, what baa been done m that direction, and bow the financial programme has been accommodated to the altered con ditions under which tho business of the country has bad to be carried on. Un questionably the Government, but espe cially Sir Harry Atkinson, ore entitled to take credit for having accomplished n very difficult and disagreeable task. Daring their tenure of office they have cut down the expenditure to an en ormous extent without impairing the efficiency of the Departments. They have brought the publio works expendi turo within limits which a few years ago would have seemed almost im possible of accomplishment unless at the risk of something like a revolt of the labouring classes ; they have still a considerable sum of loan money m hand ; and they have paid off the deficit left by their predecessors. All this is very satisfactory, and is naturally mado the most of by tho Colonial Treasurer. Heavier taxation has been imposed, and we may and do demur to many of the tariff arrangements ; but more revenue had to bo raised, seeing that tbo finances could not bo adjusted by retrenchment alone, and at all events Hie Colonial Treasurer has been enabled to present a balance sheet showing a surplus after paying off the whole of the floating deficit loft by the last Ministry. The Financial State ment doeß not treat of a very large policy for the future. Tho report that the primage duty is to bo retained for two years longer turns out to be (rue. As Mr Fergus intimated at Queenstown, it is to be devoted to new school buildings and to giving increased accommodation m lunatic asylums, all of which are over-orowded. The gold duty is to be abolished, but somo other source of revenue is to bo drawn upon but has not yet been specified. 