AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1769, 21 October 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Br Telegbaph.] [Per Albion.] MELBOURNE. Matters political are quiet just now, bnt forces are being'quietly organised for the coming campaign. The Farmers' Unions formed all over the country, and concentrated in a central league, will exercise great influence at the coming election. The farmers do not want protection, and if the organisation is as complete as it is said to be, it will exercise great power at the ballot box. The education question will consolidate the Catholics on one bide and the Protestants on the other. The miners are dissatisfied with the reduction in their wages, and now see that there is no ■virtue in protection, so that with these combinations there will be some lively work. Business in Parliament has been confined to discussions on the estimates and tariff. Government have withdrawn the proposed duty on oils, and also on reapers and binders, but all the other duties have been passed. The unfair distribution of Government advertisements formed the subject of one night's debate, and the Ministry were severely taken to task for partiality in giving the lion's share to those journals which supported them, to the exclusion of others having better claim as advertising mediums. The case of Lawrence has occupied public attention. On Thursday night it was referred to in the House, but the Attorney-General positively refused to discuss the question in such a place. At the same time a large meeting was hold at the town hall, when a petition was adopted t to the Governor, and nearly 2000 persons proceeded after the meeting to Government House, but, in order to avoid anything like a demonstration, only a few went inside and saw Lord Normanby, who promised to lay the matter before the Executive. Next morning a meeting of the Executive wbb held, when it was decided that sentence of death be commuted to , life imprisonment. Great differences 'of opinion existed, but the pressure of publio opinion no doubt caused the Executive to reverse its previous decision. Lawrence is now quite sane, and there are many who believe he alwavs was so. The miners' strike at Sandhurst continues, and is extending. Mr George Lansell, the rich claim-holder, who had joined in the movement for the reduction, on being appealed to cast all the blame on the Berry Government, who had promised to make the country prosperous for the miners. Some men who put out fires at the claims were arrested, but were subsequently discharged. Pair rains have fallen all over the country, and have been greatly beneficial to the crops, and have given a better tone to general business. The Ormond Presbyterian College to do affiliated to the University, is to bo built at once at a cost of £16,500. A clerk in the Colonial Bank, named Hayes, has been sentenced to three months for stealing a hundred pounds. There is still very little betting in connection with the races. Secundus remains favorite, with Sweetmeat and Le Loup next. Nellie is one of the best favorites for the Derby, but Falmouth is muoh fancied. The management of the Theatre Boyal have reduced the prices of admission. Business is decidedly better, owing partly to the settlement of the tariff, partly to home telegrams, and partly to the welcome change in the weather. The prosecution against the directors and manager of the Provincial and Suburban Bank is a long affair, and already has occupied several days.

The Exhibition building i* making good progress. Councillor Moares baa been elected Mayor of Melbourne for the ensuing year, without opposition.