New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 28.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4479, 28 July 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 28.

The Albion, which was tendered at Hokitika yesterday, brings later news. The chief interest, for the present, centres in Victorian politics. The Kerferd Ministry has certainly introduced several “burning questions,” which will not be cooled down in a hurry. Our telegrams give us more detailed information of the financial policy of the Victorian Government than we were in possession of by the previous steamer, and the additional facts go to establish the thoroughness of their measures. There can be no doubt whatever that Mr. Kerferd and his colleagues have adopted the true policy of finance. Whether it will be acquiesced in by the people is by no means certain. Constituencies are proverbially fickle. Politics are not studied by the masses ; and it is easy for interested and unscrupulous men to get up a cry against the wisest and most patriotic measures. On this occasion, the Victorian Government touch so many interests that strenuous opposition is to be expected ; and we perceive the battle has already begun. . The publicans have joined the Opposition host, and “ cheap “ beer, and protection to native in“dustry” is the battle cry. It is proposed to increase the duty on spirits by 2s. per gallon ; one penny per gallon is to be put upon colonial beer; and tobacco and i imported ales and porter are to pay higher rates of duty. These are innovations which licensed victuallers are bound to resent. It is touching them in their tenderest part—their pockets. Profits would be lessened should the new duties be imposed ; and the house tax, were it levied, would complete their ruin. Surely never was there so ill-used or helpless a class. But lot Ministers beware : no class in the community can influence elections to the same extent that the licensed victuallers can. The last general election in the United Kingdom is an example in point. The Conservative Government clambered into office over beer barrels and on the shoulders of the clergy, the two great Spiritual Powers having joined forces to conserve the ancient privileges of temporalities and tippling. And in all probability we shall see something like the same union of forces in Victoria, should an appeal be made to the country in the event of a Ministerial defeat. But in the meantime the outcry is got up by persons whose profits have been guaranteed by legislation, (and who dread open competition,) and the publicans. The proposal to borrow £2,750,000 in London for railway construction is significant. Victoria has built railways of a costly description, which nevertheless pay. It is, however, incumbent on the Victorian Government to do something to stimulate settlement, and this proposal, coupled with the amended land law., increasing the free selection area to 040 acres, leads to the conclusion that at no distant day Victoria will resume free and assisted immigration. Indeed, this is the necessary corollary to the financial and land and works policy of the present Government. And the sooner this policy is adopted the bettor it will, be

for "Victoria. New Zealand is now drawing population from Victoria: as, however, its public works expenditure would begin about the time our expenditure on public works must come to an end, this state of things may be reversed. This result will greatly depend upon the progress made in settling our immigrants on the land. Unless they have a proprietary interest in a bit of ground, attaching them as it were to the soil, they will be open to the inducement which the more liberal land law of Victoria holds out to them, combined with a demand for labor on public works. These are questions, however, which should be considered by the General Assembly during the present session. It is enough for us to indicate them. To our mind, they are of very pressing consequence, and we trust they may not be forgotten in contests over matters of far less vital importance to the country.