AUSTRALIAN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1887, 11 March 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

[beutee's telegrams.] SYDNEY, Bishop Selwyn. Bishop Selwyn has arrived at Gunga from Norfolk Island, en route to Auckland. MELBOURNE, March 10. Mr Service's PlatformThe Hon. Mr Service, at Maldon tonight, expounded the Government programme, which maintains his own scheme of reforms. The question of the franchise for the Legislative Council has not quite been decided upon. The Government propose to empower the Council to expunge those items involving motives of policy from the Appropriation Act, dealing therewith by a separate Bill. It is also proposed to subdivide the Mallee country into small blocks and rent them to the highest bidder, but all agricultural areas are to be remain untouched, and the squatters are to be allowed to hold their land subject to selection. The administration of railways is to be entrusted to a Commission or Board. He announced that Civil Service reforms would take place upon the basis of a reduction in the salaries of all classes except now officials. He proposes the abolition of pensions, and the compelling of civil servants to insure 'their lives, for which every facility would be given themIn regard to the Harbor Trust, Mr Service said that their powers would be enlarged. He estimated the year's deficiency at £365,000, after the deduction of £300,000 of lapsed votes. He said officials would be prohibited from interfering in politics,- and that the Government would endeavour to remedy any injustice done by its predecessors wherever such was practicable. The Government would not interfere with protection, whilst relieving the farmers and miners, nor would they alter the Education Act. The pay. ment of members was unmentioned in the hon. gentleman's address.