8.—6

XXXII

need at the present is in truth doing an act of mercy, and his act benefits both him and the country to which he gives. He who subscribes now, and saves in order to subscribe, will be able to bear the strain when the war is over. He will be thankful for the efforts he has made in the struggle to keep himself, but still dearer to him must be the knowledge that every aid he gives to himself he is multiplying for his country, and that his country will bless him for his providence and for his generosity." I am hopeful that, in addition to moneys for public works, sufficient funds will be available to meet the reasonable requirements of settlers, workers, and local bodies from the deposits in the Post Office Savings-bank, and every effort will be made to do so. Local bodies must restrict their applications to necessary works, as it is not possible during these times to consider demands for conveniences that can be deferred until after the war is over. I take the opportunity of appealing to honourable members not to press for or expect the Government to meet demands for buildings on a large scale. They must give precedence to other more pressing matters. CONCLUSION. There is no portion of the civilized world which is not, to a greater or less extent, feeling the effects of the war. The people of this Dominion, in common with their fellow-countrymen in other parts of the Empire, are offering their sons ungrudgingly in order that the Empire's cause may be successfully vindicated, and no tribute that this House could offer to the memory of those men who have given their lives at their country's call would be too great. Nor is it possible to thank sufficiently those men and women who have sacrificed their money and their comfort in order that they may assist in succouring the wounded, and in other ways have furthered the great cause which to all of us is a privileged trust and a sacred duty. Let us hope that before I again have to submit a review of the finances of the Dominion to the House and to the country this devastating war will be a thing of the past, and that the Empire will have emerged triumphantly from an ordeal which, however much we may deplore its frightful incidents, has still had the effect of welding together more closely the component parts of the Empire, and has taught it afresh that in unity lies its great strength. The critical times through which we are passing have caused a wave of patriotic enthusiasm to sweep through the Empire, the effects of which must inevitably make for liberty and justice and for the righteousness that exalteth a nation.