INTERCOLONIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 43, 19 February 1881, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL.

Melbourne, Friday,

Mr Murray Smith has virtually assumed the leadership of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

The ship Hereford, which was successfully floated yesterday at Cape Paton, has been safely towed to Qusers^liff.

Adelaide, Friday,

The Hon. William Morgan, the Chief Secre'ary ard Premier of South Australia, has issued an address containing an outline of ( the policy of the Government. He calls attention to the necessity for a reform of the constitution of the Legislative Council, and says that a Bill will be introduced for the purpose. If the measure is twice rejected in the Council the Governor will be empowered to declare one half of the seats in the Upper House vacant at the time of the next dissolution. The present time is considered favorable for the introduction of the Reform Bill, though there is no conflict between the two Chambers. The Govern ment have further resolved to increase tbe number of electorates to 26 for each House, each electorate to return two members. Referring to his recent visit to Sydney to attend the sitiings of the Intercolonial Conference, Mr Morgan says that he is quite convinced that tbe chief object of his Government should be to assimilate the tariff of South Australia with tbat of New South Wales, and he adds that he is prepared to pursue a policy of receprocity and mutual concession. Tbe revision of the tariff, he states, is necessary to readjust the incidence of taxation and to relievo the farmers, artisans, and laborers . A remission of taxes to the extent of £6000 will be proposed in order to secure uniformity with tho tariff of Naw South Wales, nnd the duty on corn sacks, wool packs, and implements will be reduced, the idea that the colony can produce the raw material being erroneous and very little short of madnesß. In order to enable a reform in the system of taxation a tax of one half penny in the pound on property valued at over £300 will be proposed. Mr Morgan also discusses the question of the railway to Port Darwin, and says he believes that capitalists will be prepared to co-operate for the construction of a line on the alternate flock system, and the Government will ask for authority to negotiate with that object. He advocates the extension of the railways to meet tbe New South Wales lines, thus shortening the distance by 300 miles as compared with tbat via Melbourne. He concludes by laying that the policy of the .Government 13 to strengthen union with New South Wales.