TASMANIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 295, 3 September 1866, Page 3

TASMANIA.

From Hobiirt Town we hum that Parliament has opened, and the Ministry ha\e been .attacked by a strong Opposition. The great debate on the financial resolution of the Treasurer, which embodied what lias been described as one " which. seeks to relieve commerce from port charges, hurbor and wharf dues, and to abolish taxes on the necessaries of life, and to secure a competent revenue from taxation bused on property and income, is in the present condition of the country the best devised scheme to prevent further indebtedness, to acrea't the continued retrogression of the colony, aud to secure the means of promoting commerce, immigration, railways, and general improvement. The " Mercury" says : — "The gentlemen on the Treasury benches were evidently far from easy on their seats, and could ill conceal their fears as to the ultimate issue. The Opposition were formidable in appearance, but calm." In whatever way, there is stated to be no chance of the Government escapitig, except by the very narrowest majority ; and should that even be the case^ and permission be. given to the Treasurer to bring in his bills, they are sure to undergo such an overhauling in committee as to' defeat, the Treasurer in all his calculations. A public meeting, called to discuss the. question, appeared to be exac" ly divided in opinion on the point. Claries Friend, the Collector of. Customs at Torquay, is coramitted-to trial for having embezzled the funds iii his charge.