AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2188, 1 March 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tblbobaph.J [Per s.s. To Anau, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, February 22. The Reform debate continues in the Assembly, Mr Murray Smith having replied on Thursday to Mr Berry’s speech. He declared that tho Government had stolen tho policy of their adversaries on extending the basis of the Council. He opposed the ratepayers’ roll, because it was going too far. Ho was willing, however, to agree to a compromise, but the Council must bo treated with proper respect. They should be invited to appoint a committee to confer with the Lawer House. Messrs Pearson, Doakin, Madden, Kerford, and Shanassy also spoke. Tho call of the House has been altered to March 3rd, when the second division will bo taken. Preparations are being made for a grand farewell banquet to Mr Service previous to his departure. ADELAIDE. February 22. The address of the Chief Secretary, containing a manifesto of tho ministerial policy, has been published. It begins by calling attention to tho necessity of reforming the Legislative Council, and proposes for that purpose to divide the colony into four districts, eooh returning an equal number of members. Tho Secretary is prepared to submit a scheme whereby about £6OOO of tho Customs duties will be remitted. This amount will allow a margin to enable uniformity with New South Wales to bo secured. While declaring him-olf a firm advocate of free trade, ho disclaims a desire to rashly interfere with existing interests fostered by a discriminative tariff, but considers that tho time has arrived when we may fairly commence to reduce the duties levied. H-> proposes, therefore, to rotluca tho ad valorsoi duties on imported articles, except those of undoubted luxury, from ten to five per cent. In order to make the reductions contemplated ho proposes a direct tax on property, real and personal, on all on individual may possess, say of about a half penny in the £. This tax is intended only to reach the well-to-do class, and no property under £3OO value is to be taxed. From this tax be expects to realise £60,000. With regard to the railway to Melbourne tho O ivernment have not heard from the Victorian Government the precise point on tho Border to which they intend tho railway system to go. The matter requires consequently no immediate decision. It New South Wales will extend the railway from Wentworth thence to tho Border, the Government is willing to extend the railway from Morgan to meet it. The extension would cost about £400,000. The rest of tho address is devoted to railways in tho Northern ureas. The Secretary slates that proposals will bo made in Parliament on the reform of |iu> Civil Service, the conservation of water on

pastoral lands, the desirability of the restriction of Chinese emigration, for which pur poses he promises that Bills will be intrt - ducod. Ho disclaims any intention ot I resuming the syetem of free emigration for the present.