AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5720, 30 July 1879, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN SUMMARY.

(PER ALBION AT THE BLUFF.) Melbourne, July 23.

The business in the Assembly last week has been conducted with more decorum. After passing a Supply Bill for £BOO,OOO, a motion was brought forward for a repeal of the Land Regulations, which have so hampered selectors, and in many cases proved ruinous to them, as they have been precluded from obtaining advances on their selections. Mr. Longmore, Minister for Lands, strongly defended his administration of the department, and stated that he had been compelled to frame the regulations in order to protect the struggling selectors, to prevent dummyism, and guard against land falling into the hands of large holders. He contended that all had been done for the benefit of bona fide selectors. The motion was submitted by Mr. Gaunson; but an amendment, equally damaging to the Lands

Minister, was moved by Mr. Don, who champions the cause of the selectors. Mr. Don is a Ministerial supporter, and he had several others from the same side with him ; but towards the close of the two nights’ debate, Mr. Berry rallied the party, and appealed to them not to allow any differences to separate them until the reform question bad been settled. The appeal not to play into the hands of the Opposition had its effect, Mr. Don withdrawing his amendment, not that he loved the selectors less, but that he dreaded the Opposition more. The House insisted on the amendment being put, and a division showed a majority of 13 for the Government in a House of 73 members. There is a disposition on the part of the Opposition to allow the Ministry to impose the additional taxation before making any formidable attack on them. It is not improbable the taxation scheme will come on for discussion before the Constitutional question, and in the event of the Government being beaten on their Budget, or any part of it, they will appeal to the country. The unemployed agitation is increasing, rather than diminishing, and the Government find it difficult to give answers to the many deputations that daily w'ait upon them seeking work.

The Government have £1,031,000 still available out of the Three Million Loan, hut as yet they have not matured any scheme of railway construction.

The Harbor Trust have made a request to the Government to grant them certain strips of land in order to carry out Sir John Goode’s scheme, and this would give employment to a large number of men, as the Trust possesses borrowing powers, hut Mr. Berry and other members of the Government are strongly opposed to the Trust, and will not do anything to assist them.

At present the Government have a credit balance of £300,000 at their disposal, a large portion of the amount having recently been obtained from the Customs duties, considerable payments having been made on spirits, beer, tea, and tobacco, in anticipation of the Budget. The Waterloo Cup meeting,* after lasting nearly a week, terminated on Friday. Lelox, a Sydney dog, was the winner, and Haste the runner up.

The weather has been milder, with frequent rain, which is much wanted in the country.

Le Loup still heads the betting for the Melbourne Cup, and much more would be put on him it the bookmakers would take it.

A large meeting of Catholic electors has been held, at which resolutions were passed not to support any candidate for Parliament who will not pledge himself to obtain tor Catholics a fair share of the Education grant. There is a similar movement now in New South Wales. There appears to be a general agitation on the part of various interests, but whether any beneficial results will accrue at the elections it is difficult to sav.

The wheat market has hardened owing to advices of the bad harvests in England and France, and a demand has been created for South Africa.

Business generally is improved. Professor Pepper is drawing well at St. George’s Hall Three theatres are now open, and all of them are doing very fairly.