THE VICTORIAN NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 164, 3 July 1876, Page 4

THE VICTORIAN NATIONAL REFORM LEAGUE.

We have a very amusing body of __en> says a Melbourne writer, who dub themselves the National Reform League, and assemble weekly at Bourke street public-house to settle the affairs of the nation. Their orators murder her Majesty's English in the most reckless way, and amuse themselves and the public by the discussion of proposals of the most nonsensical nature. A little while ago they, by dint of a great deal of oratory, added, amidst tremendous cheering from the rather scanty audience, a new *■• plank " to the " platform" of the League, and of the Liberal party, in the shape of a scheme of annual Parliaments. Since this, tbey : have been discussing, ia turgid but ucgrammatical language, whether Sir William Stawell ought to be impeached for refusing a dissolution to Mr Berry, and, more recently, whether the Queen should be petitioned to recall Sir George Bowen; It was not at first obvious what Sir Geo. Bowen's offence was, but one speaker let the domestic animal, out of the bag by denouncing; the Governor for not giviog a Birthday Ballj, and for no. appointing the 1 sons of old./ colonists (tbe speaker is an old colonist) to be his aide-de-camp. As his Excellency has only one aide-de-camp at a time, it is evident tbat the state of the labor market will not be = mdch affected by the way in which he make, this appointment. And to think of a Reform League clamoring for a Birthday Ball, and threatening revolution if it is withheld — really it is too ridiculous. Patriotism is often exacting in its demands, and sometimes comical in its wrath ; but such flunky-like greed and such lofty titanic revolutionism are not often exhibited in combination. Two of the prominent , Opposition members — Mr Berry and hie .henchman Mr W. C. Smith — visited the meeting of the League, listened to some of the speakers, and declared they were amazed at. the intelligence and eloquence displayed. Toadyism is always a bad thing, but no man of Common honesty and self-respect could sink to such toadyism as this while a respectable living can be made as "a scavenger or crossing sweeper. I forget whether Sir William Stawei! is to^he impeached or Sir George Bowen to, be recalled. Iv any case, it need not trouble those gentlemen very much, as - a few pints of beer skilfully bestowed would secure the rescinding of the vote.