AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1723, 2 June 1886, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

;;■- •■■ ■• ■+ : (electric telegraph—copyright.) (reuter's telegrams). . ' ' Melbourne, Tuesday. '. , : The Victorian Parliament was opened . .by this Eicelloncy • thb Governor, Sir Henry Lbcb. In the course of the speech delivered by His Excellency on . the occasion, reference was made to the , Federation question, the progress of wtiich must be considered satisfactory. A Federal Council had been established, and he was encouraged by the hope that those colonies which nad hitherto held aloof would feel the influence of national . sentiment and strenethen the union. The projected French occupation of- the New Hebrides called for the strongest objection oa the part of the Colonies. He expressed the belief that the decision ■which was expected shortly would uphold the understanding arrived at m 1878, by which the Imperial Govern, merit had refused to allow interference, with those islands. "With regard to railways the satisfactory progress which .had been made with Victorian lines aad . resulted m the receipts exceeding those of past years, and railway returns were this year more tbfen sufficient to pay m . tere.st upon the capital borrowed for '-."' their /r construction. Concluding his speech ''■'.'His Excellency congratulated Parliament .".■■■ upon 'the satisfactory state of the finances . of the colony and the prosperity of the . country.