AUSTRALIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 650, 31 May 1882, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[PK.It KEUTEII’s AGENCY. ] The Victorian Budget Melbourne, Yesterday. In the Legislative Assembly this evening Sir Byran O’Loghlen, as Colonial Treasurer, introduced his financial statement. He estimates the revenue for the present financial year at L 5,520,000, and the expenditure at L5,57°, oo °. For the year 1881-2 the revenue was L 5,560,000, and tHe expenditure was L 5,370,000. The statement proposes a reduction of the duties on beer and tea, and also a reduction of the present postage rates. Melbourne, Later.

The Treasurer’s Budget statement was introduced in the Assembly last night, and showed that the revenue for the past financial year was L 5,754,000, being Lgtjfioo over the estimate made in September last. The expenditure amounted to L 5,374,000, exclusive of paid for the redemption of Treasury bonds. The revenue for the present year is estimated at L 5,610,000, including balance at 31st March last. The expenditure is estimated at Ls.S74>ooo, leaving a surplus of 1.36,000 at the end of 1882. The Treasurer proposes to reduce the excise on beer by one penny, and inland postage to one penny; also to abolish the tea duty. The total remission of duties will amount to 1.200,000. It is further proposed to vote Li 20,000 for the defence force, and Lioo.ooo for irrigation. The railways, the statement showed are returning 4 per cent, on a capital of Li 8,000,000 employed. The statement concluded by announcing that a loan of 1.4,000,000 will be placed on the London market in Jnne. Complete Freedom urged for Ireland. An address to the Irish people signed by Messrs Longmoare, Duffy, Brophy, O’Callaghan, and Toohey, represented Ireland as under the hoof of Foreign despotism, and urges that the country should receive complete freedom. Mr Patterson has given notice of motion in the Assembly, calling attention to the treasonable and seditious language employed by some of its members in the address.