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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5474, 13 March 1889, Page 2

Though the present Ministry ih Victoria is a coalition one, it do<w not altogether meet with the approval of what is known -is the Liberal patty, thouirh the Chief Secretary happens to be their j-oaoi-niaed leader. -The-, other day'we'published the programme of the Liberals, and .yesterday we gave the Government policy as ennncinted by Mr. Gillies, i the Premier. The proposals .are somewhat similar to those made in the last Victorian Budget, which wore uft or wards withdrawn by thoGovorhuiont. The present duty on tea is threepence perl]), which it is proposed to reduce Wa penny,'the' nominal duty britig retained to pay for the necessary examination and analyses which are made of all te.-is, before, they arc allowed to go into .consumption.', The dudes on coffee-, cocoa,, and lieroseno are, .'to. ho abolished.'.' .It ' speaks 'well' for "the elasticity' -of "tho revenue whon proposals aire made for the reduction of Customs duties by £1-10,000. for that is tho amount involved by tho proposed "-.ltenlions. 1 lie probate duties, which are to ho reduced, ou an average bring iv t > tho Treasurer £150,000. Certain indu.stii-is aro to ip.teivo bonuses to tlio extent of nearly thrca-quarters of a million sterling.' -By.this means it is hoped to push the wine industry, as well as still further develop the agricultural production. The. proposals are bold ones, and as the country districts aro to receive most attention, it will be interesting to watch the result of the general election, for from that it'will be seen whether tho electors prefer a boldly outlined scheme to the visionary, fads of the Liberal platform, which include local option and female suffrage. ,