FROM WELLINGTON,

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 24, 6 March 1858, Page 3

FROM WELLINGTON,

The "Wonga Wonga" brought us one week's later dates, but little that can be called news. We have received no copy of the "Independent" by either of the late mails. The "Spectator" administers a. rebuke to certain speakers at the separation meeting for the use of strong language, especlal-

ly when applied to the Wellington Reform Association. The expression, a "handful of quacks" has, in particular, been alluded to. Now we believe that this expression escaped the speaker inadvertently, and would not,. at another time, have been applied by him to the Association as a whole ; but there is no disguising the fact — or at least the feeling on our part — that some of the members of that body have risen to their present position upon what may be termed false pretences, and that the disposition here is to speak of them slightingly. We have received, in pamphlet shape, a report of the Chamber of Commerce, intended as the basis of a memorial to his Excellency on the subject of the Custom's Amendment Act. This commercial body displays great industry and ability. The present report recommends the substitution of the Victorian tariff for the one now in use in New. Zealand, the former being mprc simple, inasmuch as a few articles of luxury are heavily taxed, and nearly all other descriptions of goods admitted free. Thetonnage rate, which applies very unequally, . would thus be abolished. The only ques--tion with us is, whether the present rate upon spirits is not as high as it can be without giving great encouragement to smuggling, for which it is well known our sea board affords every facility. Otherwise, we believe the suggestions of the Chamber deserving of every attention.