WELLINGTON NOTES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 5

WELLINGTON NOTES.

February 26.

I have reason to believe thab the Minister for Education contemplates an important new departure in bhe management of bhe Industrial Schools in the direction of an enlargement of the boirding-out system. The nature of the reforms I cannot particularise, bub ib is of a kind bhab will, I believe, be warmly welcomed by the many public spirited and philanthropic citizens who so actively idenbify themselves wibh bhe needa of the helpless infant life of bhe community. Legislation will be required, and the Minister will at once proceed wibh the preparation of the necessary measure tor presentation to Parliament.

I find that bhe Premier is much impressed wibh the importance of the fact he has had formulated aa to the balance of intercolonial trade values in favour of New South Wales and Victoria aa against New Zealand. These he attributes to the fiscal policy of our neighbours and particularly to the trade restriction of the port of Sydney. Hia Government, he contends, aro willing to establish a reciprocal trade relation with any or all the Australian colonies, and if New Zealand is to be made to suffer by the hostile tariffs of the Continental provinces without hopes of any equable adjustment of Customs differences, then I shall not be surprised if a policy of reprisal is proposed. If, it will be asked, Sydney finds in New Zealand, among other things, an open market for her coal, why should not our graiu have a corresponding advantage of a like value in New South Wales. "Free oats for free coal" would be a cry that would capture many voices, and would appeal directly to the farmers, who just now are sorely in need of wider markets.