New Buildings.

After referring to the number of new buildings that were being erected in New Zealand, Sir Alfred said that we were rightly building for future generations, but surely not for a mere population of a million and a half. The Wellington and Auckland stations were sufficiently commodious to serve a population of at least 5,000,000, and public utilities generally were all in advance of the population. What was to be done about it? If we

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united for the natural increase of population on the present scale we would have to wait too long. The burden of such expenditure must be spread over a much greater population.

A satisfactory system of assisted immigration of the right type of settler and industrialist would go far to solve some of New Zealand's problems. The Dominion could support a much larger population. Dairy output had been doubled in ten years, and that could be done again. “I say this with a full knowledge of my experience as a farmer, and Minister of Lands for six years,” said Sir Alfred. Other primary products—wool, meat, etc., all showed substantial increases. “With an increased population we could consume more of our own production,” said Sir Alfred, “and largely increase our exports, and thus make buildings such as this an economic proposition.”