The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1867.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 35, 12 February 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1867.

A wAUM debate took place iii the Victorian House of Assembly, on the 30th ult., on the question of the border treaty which the Government have recently entered into with the Government of New South Wales. The policy of the Victorian Govern ment. was opposed by a party in the House who had hitherto voted with them, and it was predicted that the Ministry would be defeated. They triumphed, howevei', by a considerable majority. There were two divisions : the first on Mr. M'Cann's motion, censuring the policy, which was negatived by a majority of 42 to 18 * and the second on the amendment of Mr. Balfour, that the treaty was satisfactoiy, which was carried against a, further amendment by Mr. Edwards, to the effect that its consideration be postponed until Ihe financial statement be made, by a majority of 41 to 25. The two great speeches of the occasion were tliose of Mr. Ireland ancl Mr. Hinginbotliam : the former calling for further information us to the manner in which it was intended to treat South Australia, and objecting to the treaty on the ground that it was a violation of the Constitution Act ; and the hitler defending Government, and admitting that the agreement with New South Wales would have to be adopted and formed into a regulation by the Governor in Council, the 236ih clause of the Customs Act conferring the necessary powers. Ifc was contended by the Opposition that £60,000 was an unfair sum to fix as compensation to New South Wales, since last year, when a large quantity of goods was taken out of bond and placed in free stores, in consequence of the action of the Government in remitting certain duties, a large amount of stoics was sent into Eiverina on easy ternis. The Government replied that, had Victoria collected the duties for New South Wales last year, they would have had to pay the neighboring colony over £60,000. The duties on the goods imported into N.S. Wales amounted to £61,462, whilst the contra account on goods imported into Victoria and due to that colony was only £1280. Practically ther. was little difference between the tariffs of the three colonies ; the position of South Australia was unaltered, and all the advantages she had hitherto enjoyed in her trade up ihe river would still be secured to her. This trial of strength between parties has ccme ou before the financial statement lias been made. The border treaty, which is in the interests of free trade, has been sanctioned by a majority of the Assembly in both Victoria and New South Wales ; aud the principle has been established, that two neighboring colonies Lave tho power to agree, for mutual benefit, to exchange native products duty free. This has been the act of the Government, and not ofthe Assembly, in both colonies ; but it is not likely that the latter will further interiere with the subject.