AUSTRALIAN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3790, 19 February 1881, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN.

Melbourne, Friday.

Mr Murray Smith has virtually assumed the leadership of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.

The ship .Hereford, which was successfully floated yesterday at CapePaton, has been successfully towed to Queenscliffe.

Adelaide, Friday

The Hon. Wm. Morgan, Chief Secretary and Premier of South Australia, has issued an address containing an outline of the policy of Government. He calls attention to the necessity for reform in the constitution of the Legislative Council, and says that a bill will be introduced for the purpose. If the measure is twice rejected in the Council, the Governor will be empowered to declare oue half o e. the seatsin the Upper House vacant at the time of the next dissolution. The present time is considered favourable for the introduction of the lieform Bill, though there is no conflict between the two Chambers. Government have further resolved to increase Ihe number of electorates to 26 for each House, each electorate to return two members. Referring to his recent visit to Sydney to attend the sittings of the Inter-colonial conference, the hon. gentleman says that, he is quite convinced that the chief object of his Government should be to assimilate the tariff of South Australia with that of New South Wales, I and adds that he is prepared to pursue the policy of reciprocity and mutual concesI sion. Revision of the tariff, he states, is necessary to re adjust the incidence of of taxation, and to relieve the farmers, artisans, and labourers. Remission of taxes to the extent of £6000 will be proposed, in order to secure uniformity with the Tariff of ' New South Wales, and duty on cornstacks, wool packs, and implements will be reduced; the idea that the colony can produce raw material being erroneous, and very little less than madness. In order to enable reform of the system of taxation a tax of one half-penny in the pound on property valued at over £300 will be proposed. Mr Morgan also discusses the question of a railway to Port Darwin, and says he believes capitalists will be prepared to cooperate for the construction of a line on the alternate block system, and Government will ask for authority to negotiate with that object. He advocates the extension of railways to meet New South Wales lines, thus shortening the distance by 300 miles, as compared with that via Melbourne, and concludes by saying that the policy of the Government is to strengthen the uniou with New South Wales.