It does not - seem certain that the guarantee of the
loan of a. million sterling, wrung with so much difficulty out of the Imperial Government for New Zealand, will after all be accepted, as the colony is profoundly nettled at the whole transaction ; but at least it has saved us the colony, just saved it to us. In the Lower House a motion to the effect that "the Imperial Govern- ment has failed in its duty to the colony" was not negatived, but only defeated by the carrying of the previous question. In the Upper (the nominated) House a resolution was carried by a majority of 3 (in a house of 40 members), affirming that " the best interests of New Zealand will be consulted by remaining an integral part of the British Empire," but this was carried expressly on the strength of the indication of friendly feeling manifested by the offered guarantee of the loan. Had that been refused, New Zealand would certainly be already asserting her independence.
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