8.—6

XXXIV

GRATUITIES, ALLOWANCES, ETC. Proposals with regard to gratuities, allowances, pensions, (fee, to members of the Expeditionary Force and. others were submitted to the House on Friday night last. Payment of gratuities and allowances will be provided for out of the loan authorities granted last year on account of which .£ 10,000,000 is now being raised. CONCLUSION. Twice in the last five years it has fallen to my lot to deliver the Financial Statement—namely, on the 6th August, 1914, and to-day. Many anxious moments have passed during the interval, but we never lost confidence in the justice of our cause and the ultimate success of our arms. The Statement made this day is the first delivered since the signing of Peace, and the occasion seems opportune to place on record the fact that this country fulfilled all its obligations to the Mother-land, and never failed to supply its own Expeditionary Force with adequate support right up to the signing of the Armistice. It may fairly be claimed that the assurance of this practical sympathy and support did much to assist our soldiers in securing the splendid reputation which they have earned, and which we may rightly look upon as one of the most valuable assets this country possesses. This has not been achieved without serious loss, serious not alone on account of the sad hearts of relatives and friends who mourn the dead, but also because it will be very difficult to replace the loss of those who, had they been spared to return to their homes, would have been associated witb us now, and later on would have taken our place in endeavouring to solve the many complex problems with which this country is called upon to deal. We can and ought to do something to perpetuate the memory of the men and women who gave their lives for the benefit of those of us who remain to share in the blessings of what we hope will prove to be a lasting peace. It is proposed, therefore, to set aside this session not less than £100,000 to erect a national memorial, designed and carried out by the best talent available, which will perpetuate for all time the memory of those who with self-sacrificing devotion gave their lives to save the Empire, and will be a constant reminder that there is no nobler duty than to sacrifice self in the service of all.