AUSTRALIAN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1270, 8 February 1883, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

(BY CABLE.-—RIOTER'S TELEGRAMS). MELBOURNE. Feb. 7. The political speeches made last night gave the first intimation of the probable coalition between the Constitutionalists and the Liberals. Mr Gilles speaking at Echuca, denounced the ingratitude of the Government with whom he henceforth would have no tie. The country, he said, was in favor of a strong Government capable of practical legislation, and composed of reasonable men m a position to sink party differences, and reunite in the national work. He hoped the modus vinendi would be discovered and pledged himself to efforts in the direction indicated. Graham Berry spoke at Geelong, and announced that he would defend the Education Act against all assailants. He denounced the Education and Tariff Commissions. One of his speeches was somewhat ambiguous, but it is believed that he is not adverse to a coalition with the Constitutionists. The number of Ministerial Candidates announced for the General Election is comparatively small, and it is generally considered certain that the Government will be defeated.

Sir Julius Vogel is a passenger for London by the Sorata, whieh sailed to-day. This day. The Hon. James Service addressed a meeting of electors at Castlemaine last erening. Tn the course of his speech he oonflr3>->d the statement made by Str Bryan O'L ighlan that old party lines eeased to exist, and that mod ■ eration was now the order of the day. He declared that the delay which occurred in floating the four million loan was unpardonable, and denounced political patronage which he characterised as the Upas tree of the constitution. He upheld the Education Act, and averred that it had prodneed satisfactory results. He strongly urged Jthe necessity of Federation of the Australian Colonies, and advocated a re-organisation of the volunteer force. . ,

The Hon. Mr Bent, Minister of Railways, in his address to the electors of Brighton, declared himself In favor of the management of the Railway Department being by commission.

The Hon. J. P. Casey has announced that he will contest the election for the Sandridge constituency.

SYDNEY, Feb. 7. In the Legislative Assembly to-night the Colonial Treasurer delivered hie budget statement re estimates revenue for the year, £6.819,200 and expenditure at £6,482,565 leaving a surplus of £336,635, this added to the surplus remaining at the close of last financial year gives the total estimated surplus for the year ending December 31st next of £1,135,574. There are no alterations proposed in the customs tariff, but it is announced that a loan will shortly be raised to recoup the consolidated loan fund, in whieh deficiencies have occurred owing to the stoppages of land sales. This day, In the Bubget speech last night the Hon. G. R Dibbs, Colonia! Treasurer In referring to the railways of New South Wales announced that the Government were taking steps to extend the line from Red Fem Station to Circular Quay, Sydney, and that a further extension of the tramway system was also contemplated. He further announced that the railways during the past year had yielded 5.81 per cent upon the capital invested in their construction, and that this percentage was higher than any other railway system in the world.