AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2180, 19 February 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIA.

[reutee’s telegrams.] MELBOURNE, February 18. A New Leader. Mr Murray Smith has virtually assumed the leadership of the Opposition in theLegislative Assembly. The HerefordThe ship Hereford, which was successfully floated yesterday at Capo Patton, has been safely towed to Qneenacliff. ADELAIDE, Februaty 18. Political. The Hon. William Morgan, Chief Secretary and Premier of South Australia, has issued an address containing an outline of the policy of the Government. He calls attention to the necessity for the reform of the constitution of the Legislative Council, and eays that a Bill will be introduced for the purpose. If the measure is twice rejected in the Council tho Governor will bo empowered to declare one-balf of the seats in the Upper House vacant at the time of the next dissolution. The present time is considered favorable for the introduction of the Reform Bill, though there is no conflict between the two Chambers. The Government have further resolved to increase the number of the electorates to twenty-six for each House, each electorate to return two members. Referring to his recent visit to Sydney to attend the sittings of the International Conference, Mr Morgan says that he is quite convinced that tho chief object of his Government should be to assimilate the tariff of South Australia with that of New South Wales, and adds that ho is prepared to pursue a policy of reciprocity and mutual concession. Tho revision of the tariff he states is necessary to readjust the incidence of - taxation, and to relieve tho farmers, artisans, and laborers. Remission of taxes to the extent of £6OOO will be proposed in order to secure uniformity with the tariff of New South Wales, and the duty on cornsacks, woolpacks, and implements will be reduced, the idea that the colony can produce raw material being erroneous, and very little less than madness. In order to enable a reform of the system of taxation, a tax of one halfpenny in the £ on property valued at over £3OO will be proposed. Mr Morgan also discusses tho question of the railway to Port Darwin, and says that he believes capitalists will be prepared to co-operate for the construction of a line on the alternate block system, and the Government will ask for authority to negotiate with that object. He advocates the extension of railways to meet the New South Wales lines, thus shortening the distance by 300 miles as compared with that via Melbourne. He concludes by saying that the policy of the Government is to strengthen the union with NewSouth Wales.