PORTUGAL.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 308, 2 October 1860, Page 3

PORTUGAL.

Lisbon, July 17. The nevv Ministry is now complete and fairly on its trial before the House and country. When questioner in the House of Deputies as to the reason of their retirement, the late Ministers declared that the smallness of the majorities in the divisions on the new finance measures convinced them that they had forfeited the confidence of the house, and they had therefore placed t heir resignations in the hands of liis Majesty. Strange, however, to say, their successors, chosen from the front ranks of the Opposition, devoted the first day of office to long and eloquent eulog-iums of the conduct of their predecessors; and concluded by a declaration that tl.ey will adopt as their own and pass the very measures which in opposition they themselves had so firmly resisted. The report of the committee oil ihe reduction of import and export dues has been presented in the Mouse of Deputies, accompanied with a project of law from the Government, hy which it purposes to carry into immediate effect ihe suggestions of the committee. This law, if passed will effect a very considerable reduction in the dues on most articles imported into Portugal from England, and though very far from establishing a liberal system of duties, would nevertheless be a great step in the right direction. At this late season,1 however, itcan scarcely be expected.to. pass this year. The Government bill for abolishing the monopoly of the "manufacture,'' as it is styled, and' consequent exportation from the Douro, of port wines, is more likely to pass both Houses, and receive t!ie royal assent, as.the Government has given, I understand, an assurance to this effect to our Minister here. Indeed, the above law owts its origin to an urgent appeal from our own Government, and the proposed abolishment of the above monopoly is the compensation asked of and conceded by this country in consideration of the reduction of our wine duties. The harvest is now gathered throughout the countiy, and may be said to be very good,- though late and heavy rains have, in some particular districts done considerable damage. The same unseasonable visitation lias also recently caused a; very ■ considerable development of the odium in the vines, and diminished the great hopes that were entertained that at la&t we were going to have a good vintage. There is a proposition before the Cortes to build an-artificial harbor to the northward of Oporto, to be connected with the town by railway, thus avoiding the perils of life and property of the very dangerous bar of Oporto.