VICTORIA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 725, 11 October 1869, Page 3

VICTORIA.

Br way of Auckland wo have Melbourne advices to tije 24th Sept. From the Argus of that date we learn that, consequent on the defeat and resignation of the M'Culloch Ministry, Mr Bryne hid undertaken the task of, and succeeded in, forming a new Cabinet. The following is a list of the names of members with their respective offices: — Mr Macpherson—Chief Secretary Mr Bryne—Treasurer Mr Cohen—Com missioner of Customs Mr M'Kean—Minister of Lands Mr Macdonnell—Attorney-General Mr J. T. Smith—Minister of Mines Mr Longmore—Commissioner of Railways Mr Reeves—Commissioner of Public Works —lt will be seen that, as yet, there is no Postmaster-General nor Solicitor-Q-eneral. The policy of the new Ministry during the present session is very simple. They will endeavor to complete the legislation which has been commenced, obtain supplies, and then prorogue. Of course, when a new session is commenced, they will have to stand or fall by the measures which they introduce. It is generally understood that, as the Cabinet has been formed from his old supporters, Mr M'Culloch is not inclined to offer any factious opposition. The obnoxious tax upon cereals, which was also sought to be introduced during the late session of the Assembly into this Colony, is very unpopular in Victoria. The Argua says; To recur to the effect which the drought is likely to have on the corn market during the approaching summer, it is worthy of remark that within the past week or two flour has been up to £2O a ton or about double the price for which it could have purchased before the present series of dry seasons commenced. In two or three days the prices went up £3 per ton. We do not believe there was any sufficient reason for this advance. Indeed, it is proved that there was none, by the suddenness with which the price receded on the arrival of a shipment of Californian wheat at Sydney. But if flour keeps up to even £ls or £l6 a ton through the summer, it will be a monsirous injustice to retain the import corn duty for which the country is indebted, among other good. things, to the late Ministry. It is true the duty is not heavy, but it is the less worth retaining on that account: and it is a gross scandal upon democratic institutions that there should be any bread tax at all in a country in which universal suffrage obtains. And the extent of the wrong which it inflicts is not to be measured by the amount of the impost. It keep 3 foreign supplies, of corn out of our ports, and prevents our people from participating in the advantages of a generally bountiful harvest. Wheu the imposition of the bread tax was under consideration, the principle argument in supportofit was,that it would "steady" prices, and so render agriculture a safer business than it had been up to that time. But experience has falsified this prediction in the most signal manner. When our ports were open to cornladen ships from all parts of the world, there were no such violent or sudden fluctuations in the price of flour as have occurred within the last fortnight, or as have been occurring at intervals ever since our ports were closed. The duty is therefore indefensible, and if the new Ministry wish to signalise their accession to office by an act at once humane, politic and enlightened, they will invite the Legislature to abolish the bread-tax as soon as it reassembles for the despatch of business.