AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1821, 22 December 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[Via Bluff.] MELBOURNE, December 17. The political situation is constantly changing. Last week Mr Munro,the newly-elected member for Oarlton, gave notice of motion of the presentation of an address to the Governor —“ That, in the opinion of the Assembly, satisfactory constitutional reform could and should be carried'during the present session.” Professor Pearson adroitly intimated ho would move that the measure which the House is ready to- pass is the one whereby the measure was twice passed by the Assembly and twice rejected by the Council, and which shall be finally settled, so far as Parliament is concerned, by an appeal to the electors by means of a plebiscitum. The Government plainly intimates that they will afford no facilities for discussing the motion, which they argue reflects on the Governor, who has promised them a dissolution. They tried to push on supply, but were unsuccessful. It is believed they then contemplated, an immediate dissolution without completing supply, but the Governor is averse to taking the country by surprise. In a written memorandum he states that he hoi granted a dissolution to enable Mr Berry to make a direct appeal to the country upon the specific measure of reform. The Government, when questioned if it intended to adhere to thei- late Bill, were very reticent. Some members, however, stating that Ministers can vary their proposals at pleasure, the Opposition controvert this, arguing that the dissolution is granted simply to enable Mr Berry to ascertain if the country supports the Bill the Assembly rejected. It is not likely that a dissolution will take place before the middle of February, as the new electoral rolls will not be ready before. Mr Berry has withdrawn his notice to the Associated Banks respecting the withdrawal of the Government account, the Banks insisting on rather better terms for the future. The Imperial postal authorities have been asked, if possible, to alter the dates of the arrival and departure of mail steamers at Colombo, so as to obviate the despatch of the mail from Adelaide on Sundays. Joseph Jones, a pronounced opponent of the Government reform, was elected by a majority of three to one over Mr Trenwrth, the Liberal candidate for Villiers and Heytesbury. Mr Jones is secretary to the National Registration Society, a Conservative association. Mr Trenwith is a travelling lecturer for the Reform League. The Council have contented themselves with protesting against the form of the Stamp Duties Bill, considering it inopportune to raise the question of privilege- The Bill passed, and comes into operation on December ISth. The Council agreed to the Customs Duties Bill. NEW SOUTH WALES. The bushrangers' trial is concluded. Seott. exhibited a flashy cleverness, and rather injured himself and his fellow prisoner, but gratified his vanity. The jury, after twohours’ deliberation, returned a verdict of “ Guilty,” recommending the three youngest prisoners to mercy. Justice Windeyor, in sentencing all to death, remarked that Scott had that veneer education, facility of speech, and capacity for theatrical exhibition which is calculated to deceive those ignorant of the world. Scott expressed a wish to bo buried with Nesbitt at Gundagai. The Treasurer's financial statement shows an actual deficit, amounting, after reducing unexpended votes, to £200,000, which it is proposed to make good out of the surplus revenue fund. It is probably the last extraordinary expenditure which can be met from this source.

The principal falling off in the revenue is due to diminished land sales and Customs revenue. The proposed expenditure on public works exceeds the estimated revenue, so new taxation is required. It is intended to revive the stamp duties next April, which are estimated to yield £200,000. The balance is made up by Customs duties and excise on tobacco and beer, also additional duty on wines, spirits, and sparkling wines. The new import duties are expected to yield £358,000. Sir Daniel Cooper undertakes the AgentGeneralship until relieved by Mr Stuart in April. Fair progress has been made by the committee on the Education Bill. The Opposition protested against the intermediate or high schools, but wers defeated. They made a better, but still unsuccessful stand over the question of unsectarian religious education. Sir H. Parkes stated that if this teaching was rejected, ho would abandon the Bill. The Bishop of Sydney and Archbishop Vaughan both addressed public meetings, urging the continuance of the demoninationßi system. A denominational union u about to be formed.