INTERCOLONIAL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 131, 3 June 1881, Page 2

INTERCOLONIAL.

Adelaide, Thursday. The South Australian Parliament was opened to-day by Sir William Jervois. His Excellency's speech on tbe occasion pointed out the necessity which existed for a reform of the Legislative Council. He regretted the unfavorable harvest of the past season, but said that the revenue during the year had been maintained and ifc Iras not anticipated tbat any deficiency would be shown ; at the same time an increase in expenditure would necessitate an increase in revenue and change in the Bystem of taxation. The reforms to be proposed would be in the direction of an increase in the property tax and a modification of the tariff with a view tp the relief of the producer?, especially in

the northern territory. Fresh expenditure would be necessary in connection with the waterworks in the various towns in the colony. The speech then went on to enumerate the principal measures to be introduced by the Government during tbe session. These will comprise Bills for the reform of tbe Civil Service, for the abolition of the pension system, for authority to construct the.transcontinental railway, for tbe amendment of the Land Act, aud for tho amendment of the constitution of the Mariue Board. Meluodrne, Friday. In the Lrgis'ative Assembly last night tbe Reform Bill was again under consideration. After further debate the Bill was passed, tho amendments of the Legislative Council being adopted with the exception of the alteration of the franchise qualification, The clause contained in tbe Bill which : originated in the Council for the abolition of plural Voting w&a tinoreOver inserted in the Biil. The latter as passed by the Assembly will now be sent to the Council for further consideration and the ultimate fate of the measure is uncertain. The civil servants have not yet been paid their salaries for the past montb as Mr Berry declines to introduce the Supply Bill. He insists that the Refoim question shall be settled before any appropriation of funds is authorised.