Victorian Items.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3291, 24 August 1889, Page 2

Victorian Items.

(From Our Own Correspondent,)

Things politically in this small but important colony aro at present very lively. Parliament has, for some \yoeks past, bean revising and endeavoring to amend the existing laws of the nation, but till quite recently nothing has been accomplished, which would justify tha House in refusing to support any motion which had for its objects tho reducing of honorariums. Hqweyer, the submitting of the Budget proposals have broken the dull monotony which was prevailing in the House of Assembly, and things are presenting a brighter aspect generally As might naturally be oxpected the tariS proposals, manufactured by a fm-seeing coalition Ministry, are strictly made on protective lines, and Premier Gillies may be congratulated on the success so far attained in political debate on the proposals which .last session wore rejected by the House, A more comprehensive Budget than that now presented could hardly be conceived, and it is very desirable that it should bo passed through all its stages,

Some excitement has been caused in the metropolis over the announcemenfc that the next representative of the Queen in Victoria is to be a comparative youth, whose experience in matters political 'an confined to the surroundings of his castle,in Scotland, alone, I refer, of course, to Lord Hopetoun, The feelings of our estecnißd fried Duncan Gillies, and his aged colleagues, at being governed and ruled by a lad of 23, can bo easier imagined than described, At the same time, it is accepted by the moto thoughtful, as an appointment by the Imperial Parliament in which great judgment has been exeroised, and although Ijoyal representation \m not been procured, as was expected in tho Marquis of Lome, we have been favored with the noxt best gift, a Lord,—a noble Jjord!

One of tlio most important matters concerning our farming community is at present being considered in almost every country town, viz., increased duty on cereals and gristing in bond. It is alleged, but I am not in a position to vouch for the accuracy of the allegation, that the Indian and New Zealand cereals are being imported, into this colony : alj'eonsjderably unfas tnarijet price, for gristing purposes, and aw mixed wjtii tljQse of Victoria, wliich are superior, and then sold as the genuine Victorian article. Should this assertion be correot the piwsss isdecidedlydetrimental to the farming industry, but I think the position is very mucli exaggerated, If Victoria 1 should consider itadvisable to increase J the duty on cereals, and to prevent

iho gristing in born), and thereby roll New Zealand of one of lier best markets, it will be the imperative duty of the latter, quid pro quo,\o assume an attitude of defenco, if not of not of retaliation, in the presentation of her next tariff. Following in tbe sensition caused in Melbourne by the introduction of Wellington's favoriio. tenor—Sir H. Edwards—who is now' studying at Home, is that created in musical circles by the advent of Missßandell, tho equally clover soprano. This well-known New Zealand lady has already appeared before some of the most fashionable of Melbourne audiences, and her pre-possessin? vocal accomplishments have gained for her the admiration of all,

'■;■• Considerable interest isvbein«'displayed in L the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, which is shortly to be held, and judging from the feeling which at present prevails, Victoria should be well represented, especially us regards her manufactures, Tlib pust winter has been exceptionally ' favorable to farming operations, and it is prognosticated that instead ot the miserable average of seven bushels to' the acre, this year will see an average of fully seventeen bushels, ' . : .