OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 3882, 3 August 1875, Page 2

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

_ Melbourne, July 23. The Treasurer’s statement is the “ last thing out,” and certainly it is well worth attention. Sooner than was generally expected politicians are finding it wise to relax the protectionist grip that is throttling us body and soul. It cannot, however, be said that the revision of the tariff has been done in anything like a freetrade style. Bat the ‘ Age ’ is furious. Instead of striking off vexatious duties it wants the twenty per cent, to become forty, and any wistful glance away from the Baal image it has set up is abominable in its eyes. The ‘ Argus ’ on the other hand, is insolent, though not quite satisfied either. The tax on land ana houses does not suit the rich lower classes, whom the ‘Argus ’ represents. It is very curious to see how the public attention is centred on this budget, which, after all, will not make a very great difference in anything, while really important matters slip by unnoticed. Far above Mr Service s money affairs in real value stands a return made to the Minister of Lands by the_ officers of his department for his use in the Land Bill debate. It shows, and to all appearance, shows conclusively that the fearful tales about all the free selectors selling to squatters are very largely false; that the accumulation of great estates is not now progressing in any ratio that ought to alarm us 01 be considered inconsistent with the public welfare ; but it does.admit that under former Acts these evils did prevail, and that to a very mischievous extent. So whatever temporary fluctuations may trouble the surface of the financial ocean, we may comfort ourselves with the knowledge that there is quiet below-—that we have the firm bottom of a settled, industrious agricultural population to anchor our hopes in. ,^ r Dalton, has just done what might have Jieen expected—broken his word. He promised^to bring the Bates children before the Police Court “as neglected children” so that the Court might decide on their case. He brought them indeed—at least he brought some children—but refused to bring them “ as neglected children,” thus ousting the jurisdiction of the Court. The Beach itself took the point not the counsel for Mrs Smeaton. The Govern 1 ment refused to interfere, but dropped a very significant hint that the vote for Popish Orphanages (in one of which these unfortunates are said to ba confined), will soon come before the Mouse. Subscriptions are being asked to procure a writ of habeas for the children. . the course of the discussion a very odd circumstance came to light, which shows by what crooked ways these “S.J.” people disturb the peace of families. A certain married woman was mentioned as a person who had elftim to take the Bate*’#, Inquiry showed I

that this person was the wife Of a Protestant gentleman, had herself been a Protestant till a very short time ago, and had suddenly left her Husband without notice, and without assigning a reason,_ taking with her all his children The tather' tried t6 recover them, but only succeeded m getting back—l think it was two out of six. 5-he then avowed that she had become a Komanißt shortly before leaving him. An entertainment new to our City has just been opened, namely, a Puppet Show. It is very elaborately got up and very varied in its features—a ohristy minstrel company, jugglers, dancers, singers, and a burlesque and pantomime fill up two hours very pleasantly. J he modus operand! is well concealed, the transformations very good, and the harlequinade really better than live performers ceuld exhibit; because, for example, you can’t blow a live PytccDian’s head a mile up into the air, sever all ms limbs from his body, and leave them waving about helplessly three feet from the ground till the_ head comes down from the clouds exactly into its right place, and then secure that the arms and legs shall re-attach themselves. But all this, and much more, can be done with “ Marionettes,” and it is done accordingly, so the reanimated policeman walks off —toto corpore.