considerably augmented since the year 1863 and because an ascertainable intention, then announced, to increase the military contribution at the end of five years was never carried out. These might have been very good reasons requesting the Colony to increase its contribution, and had they been straightforwardly and undisguisedly submitted to the Legislature, I doubt not that the unofficial members would have given them that impartial consideration, which they are at all times prepared to give to proposals emanating from Her Majesty's Government.
But these were not the grounds upon which the Council were asked to vote the additional money. The real reason was, and there can be no attempt to disguise it,