SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THS POLICY OF VICTORIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 95, 22 April 1879, Page 4

SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THS POLICY OF VICTORIA.

Sir Julius Yogel, in an article contributed by him to au Anmicaa Review (the "Princeton"), traces the baneful effects of the Protectionist policy in Victoria. We quote a pa.sage: — "Io lieu of deriving a proper revenue from their land, the peopto of Victeria were peraaaded by some of those who were greedy to obtain the lends for less than their value to have recourse to protective duties. They fell into the tr_p. The Undowners appeared to reluctantly s.nclion these duties. They never slid sanction them, and obtained for themselves renewed leases of pastoral buds, and the opportunities of acquiring ia one way or another extensive freeholds Tho commercial clueaes protested against protective duties, aaJ thus three diatioct parties grew iuio existence — the protection, the fr.e trade, an-J the l_ndod. Gradually, ls ■the Ust hod no mote lo gaia from iha first, it made commou cause with the second; but io tbe meantime the protection classes were fortified by the alliance of those who had bean pitvioußly scquiriog and holding email homesteads. Thus the two last, the poorer in wealth, have become the most numerous and influential party. The small holders and small manufacturers have possession of power to tha exclusion of the wealthy landed ond ! commercial classes. As between the opposing parties the unprejudiced onlooker may find it difficult to appo«tion hia sympathy. But he cannot fail to feel how unfortunate it is that class divisions have been allowed to grow up under conditions utterly incongruous anl unsound. For a loDg while it has been, and it is to be feared for a long while it will be, impossible for the Victorians to legislate for tbeir own benefit. The opposition to a Government which is based on comprehensive even though false principles may exerois. a healthy influence. But when the several patties in the State are moved by class jealousness, of the narrowness of which they themselves are unconscious; when each sees in the other tha representative only of low personal and selfish motives — what chance is there of any combination for mutual good ? If the Victorians could calmly consider what was best for a Victoria to which tbey and their mutual suspicions, wrongs, and jealousies did not belong, no doubt they would have intelligence amply sufficient to promote the benefit of their highly favoured country. But because it is for themselves they have worked they have failed in their efforts. They have allowed the colony which was first in the race, and which possessed in some respects unequalled advantages, to lag behind until other colonies have fast been making up the distance which separated them. They have brought themselves to a condition which is truly pitiable. They do little or nothing to encourage immigration. They believe in keeping the country for themselves ; they suspect each other, and j they depend too much on the Govern- ' ment for the success of their schemes j i «■_■—■ _ _ MM. ■■— — _ — — --^^»