SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THE POLICY OF VICTORIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5634, 21 April 1879, Page 3

SIR JULIUS VOGEL ON THE POLICY OF VICTORIA.

Sir Julius Vogel, in an article contributed by him to an American review (the “ Princeton ”), traces the baneful effects of the Protectionist policy in Victoria. We quote the following passage ; —“ In lieu of deriving :a proper revenue from their land, the people of Victoria were persuaded by some of those who were greedy to obtain the lands tor less than their value to have recourse to protective duties. They fell into the trap. The landowners appeared to reluctantly sanction these duties. They, however, did sanction them, and obtained for themselves renewed leases of pastoral land, and the opportunities of acquiring in one way or another extensive freeholds. The commercial classes protested against protective duties, and thus ■ three distinct parties grew into existence—the protection, the free trade, and the landed. Gradually as the last had no more to gain from the first it made common cause with the second j but iri'the‘..meantime the' protection classes were fortified by the alliance of those who had. been previously acquiring and holding-small homesteads. Thus the two last, the poorer in .wealth, have become the most numerous and influential party. - The small holders and the small manufacturers have possession of power to tho: exclusion of the wealthy landed and commercial classes. As between the opposing parties the unprejudiced onlooker may find it difficult to apportion his sympathy. Bat ho cannot fail to feel how unfortunate it is.that class divisions have been allowed to grow ,np under conditions utterly incongruous and unsound. ‘ For a long while it has been, and it is to he feared for a long while it will be, impossible for the Victorians to legislate for their own benefit. The opposition to ri Government which is based on comprehensive, even though false, principles may exercise a healthy influence. : But when the several parties in tho State are moved by class jealousies, of the. narrowness of whioh they themselves are unconscious ; when each sees in the other the representative, only of low personal and selfish' motives—what chance ’is there of any combination for mutual good? If the Victorians could calmly consider what was best for a Victoria to which they and their mutual suspicions, wrongs, and jealousies did not belong, no doubt they would have intelligence amply sufficient to promote the benefit of their highly-favored country. But because it is for themselves they have worked they have failed-in their efforts. They have allowed the colony which was first in the race, and which possessed in some respects unequalled advantages, to lag behind until other colonies have fast been making rip the distance which separated them. They have brought themselves to a condition which is truly pitiable. They do little or nothing to encourage immigration. They believe in keeping the country for themselves ; they suspect each other, and they depend too much on the Government for the success of their schemes of life.”