MISCELLANEA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 104, 7 November 1871, Page 2

MISCELLANEA.

0 The. gold yield of No.v South Wales for the first nine months of this, current year shows an increase of ‘ll per cent, an compared with the corresponding period of 1370. A brisk'correspondence is going on in the Titms with regard to the banka sending wool to England. The banks are defended by the chairman of the Bank of Australasia and Sir Daniel Cooper. Soon these colonies will not bo-dependent on Mauritius for their sugar, aa Queensland sugar is now commanding satisfactory prices in Melbourne, large shipments being continually sent to that port. The Brisbane correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald says:— “ Machinery for sugar-making is being constantly landed or manufactured here, and I know thatseveral boiling houses are being hurried to completion, so brisk is the demand.” In reference to the late Victorian “ protective” tariff the Mount Alexander Mail says I There are symptoms of sickening and nausea, even before the draught has been well swallowed. The most sanguine friend of free trade and common sense could scarcely have desired a more exhilarating spectacle than the contortions of the protectionists at the first taste of the consequences of protection to their pockets. From all parts letters of complaint flock into the papers that the shopkeepers are raising their prices, and that very soon a man with an ordinary family to spend it on won’t be able to live in Victoria. Shoes that used to cost 10s a pair have gone up to 14s and 15s, writes one consumer. If the Treasurer does not take off half the duty on calf skins, says a producer, I shall be obliged to dismiss a third of the hands from my establishment. A retailer sends from Eclmca to order a piece of cloth from the importer at 6s 6d a yard. Can’t send it under 8s 6d in consequence of the tariff, telegraphs back the importer. Two Melbourne tailoring firms have reduced the wages of their men 2J per cent, right off the reel, and in several or the clothing establishments, large and small, the unfortunate sempstresses have been cut down Id and 2d per article, making a difference of 2s or 3s per week in the earnings of most of them. And these are only a few examples, culled hastily of from a single perusal of the moruingpapers, the immed.ate effects of the beneficent policy of protection upon the classes in whoso interest it was inaugurated.

All readers of the New Zealand newspapers must have noticed that the announcements under the head “ Marriages,” (or, as an American paper puts it, “The Altar,”) have been gradually becoming fewer and fewer, but there is now good reason to anticipate an improvement in this direction. A Mrs Barling (benevolent creature, she should have spelt her name with a D) advertises in the Auckland papers her intention of publishing shortly a M.itrim mill Tim’s, with a view, as she expresses it, to meeting the requirements of settlers in the out districts, who are debarred from forming acquaintances among the opposite sex. Dear, disinterested benefactress of the human race ! If it were not for an unfortunate a'.lision to a trifling t .vo-and-sixpenny fee that will be required at the hands of those who may avail themselves of her services, I should be inclined to look upon her philanthropic—a crusty old bachelor has in my hearing called them misanthro-pic-efforts with a favourable eye ; but all the romance that might, under other circumstances, have attiehed itself to the M.itrivunial Times and its editress, has faden away before that wretched half-crown. What a pity it is that such benevolent institutionscannot be carried on without a drain on the pockets of those whom they are to benefit! But then philanthropy without fees is so very rar;!

i The question of the propriety of members of the Assembly receiving an honorarium has ■again cropped up for its periodical discussion in the House of Representatives, even although Mr Cracroft Wilson, who always consistently moved for its abolition, or, at all events, reduction, is no longer a member of that House. That such a sum as would cover their necessary expenses svhile in Wellington should be paid to the Lower House we think perfectly reasonable and fair, but we cannot say the same with regard to the members of the Legislative Council, who represent the large property holders of the Colony, from which class its ranks are constantly being recruited. It Ins a'forded us no little pleasure to find that one of the Legislative Councillors, the hon. G. M. Waterhouse, is of the same way of thinking, and that lie is not content with merely expressing his opinion, but means to give a practical proof of his sinceritv. In a letter addressed to the Wairarapa Mercury this gentleman says : —“ln the peculiar circumstances of New Zealand, the practice of paying members of the Legislative Council an honorarium of ,£ I per day, however objectionable in principle, appears almost essential to enabling constituencies to secure in the House of Representative the services of members alike acquainted with the wants of the various districts, and able and desirous to serve their fellow settlers. But in the case of the Legislative Council, no such necessity exists ; its members are not elected, but nominated, and that from a class which as a whole does not require, and in my opinion ought not to receive, the honorarium paid to the elective members of Parliament. I .believe the usefulness of the Legislative Council would bo increased and its dignity would be promoted by the withdrawal of this honorarium ; but, so long as it continues to bo paid I am determined to appropriate it to purposes of public utility.”— Nclson Evening Mail, ~