OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1622, 23 December 1882, Page 29

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

(FROM OUB pWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Melbourne, December sth. '

The centre of political interest has changed to New South Wales, where the defeat of the Parkes Ministry, followed by a dissolution of Parliament, has thrown the Colony into the excited turmoil of a general election. So rapid has been the course of events that within the space of one month a coalition Administration, held to be the strongest ever formed in New South Wales, has, while in the apparent plenitude of power, been beaten on a vital point of policy ; and the country, on being appealed to, has, so far as the elections have yet taken place, endorsed the verdict. You have already been made aware that the land question was the subject on which the defeat of the Ministry was brought about. Sir John Robertson, the author of the existing system of free selection before survey, introduced, as Minister of Lands, a measure consolidating the law, and introducing a few minor amendments, but still, in the main, maintaining the system in its present shape. It is now no secret that great diversity of opinion existed in the Cabinet concerning the advisability of proceeding with this bill. The Premier foresaw difficulty, but the land question is not one to which he has paid any devoted attention. Sir John Robertson, on the other hand, has been identified during all his political career with this subject, and is as firmly convinced as ever that the views he held 20 years ago as to the proper land policy of the Colony are. still correct. He is a masterful man, and his colleagues were fain to bow to his superior knowledge and determination. The warnings of the Premier were disregarded, and the fate of the Ministry pledged to the bill, with what result we have seen. It is a curious illustration of the irony of events that the author of their misfortune should be secure of re-elec-tion, while Sir ''Henry Parkes has had to suffer, the ignominy of defeat at the hands of the constituency of the Colony, and is likely to again experience the same fate in the second district to which he has offered himself.

The conduct of the Governor in so readily granting a dissolution has been challenged, but as Parliament was dissolved by proclamation, no, opportunity was afforded to the Assembly of questioning the propriety of the decision. So far as is known his Excellency granted the dissolution on the verbal application of the Minister, so that no written reasons have been placed on. record. There does not appear, however, to be much ground for questioning the propriety of the decision. The subject, on which a marked difference of opinion was shown to exist between the. Ministry and the Assembly, was one of the first importance to the country. The Government confess themselves convinced that the majority in Parliament did not, in this instance, represent the views of the people, and upon a broad question of public policy they are entitled to obtain from the people a distinct expression of their will. ' The question submitted to the constituencies is whether the system of free selection before survey shall continue. An objection, in support of which stronger grounds can be urged, is that the Ministry have unduly hurried on the elections, and have endeavoured to snatch a verdict by surprise. Parliament was dissolved on November 23rd, and on that day week the first of the new elections was taken. In the East Sydney electorate, for which Sir Henry Parkes himself sought reelection, but four clear days were allowed in which to make arrangements for the choice of candidates, the briefness of the period being likely to place the opponents of the Government at a disadvantage. There was no time for organisation, but if Sir Henry Parkes thought by this means to force a favourable verdict from the constituency, the result must have grievously disappointed him. East Sydney, as the most important metropolitan constituency, and one where the Premier and another of his colleagues sought re-election, was regarded as striking the keynote of the contest. The Ministerial candidates were Sir Henry Parkes, Dr Renwick, Minister for Mines, and Alderman Green, whilst the Opposition ran for the four seats Mr Reid, Mr E. Barton, Mr G. N. Griffiths, and Alderman M'Elhone. Both in his address and in his speeches Sir H. Parkes was inclined to confuse the main issue submitted to the electors. He was desirous of testing^the claims of the Government to support on ,its 'general policy, and on the great prosperity which the Colony had enjoyed under its administration. In dealing with the land question, it was his aim less to defend the existing system, which the measure on which he had been defeated sought to perpetuate, than to show that the proposals advocated by Mr Stuart, the leader of the Opposition, in the programme he had sketched out were dangerously inimical to the interests of the people as a whole. ' The position he took up was that the bill of Sir John Robertson proposed to correct the abuses of the present law, and to afford pew facilities for the acquisition of land, under its provisions

without violating the principles of the settled policy of the country. The plan indicated by Mr Stuart he described as one intended to hand over to the squatters the richer half of their possessions. In his quartette of opponents, however, Sir Henry Parkes had antagonists who were ready of speech, quick at seeing the weak points iv his armour, and who had, besides, the enormous advantage of having the ear of the people. The conviction that the land system has been a mistake has gained ground rapidly of late years. "The public," says the Sydney Morning Herald, " is getting to feel that the national inheritance is being squandered, that we are selling our lands faster than we are settling them, that we have been at much pains to build up a system which is setting people by the ears ; and herein the public is right." Land has been disposed of in cnorrnous quantities, the public revenue has been unduly swelled, but, except in a few favoured districts, the amount of legitimate settlement has not been perceptibly increased. It is becoming recognised that the plan of unrestricted free selection before survey is most wasteful and injurious. Without any security of tenure, the squatter cannot be called upon to pay to the State a fair rental for the land. It is estimated that there are now in New South Wales 173 million acres of Crown landd, for which the State receives only £208,000 per annum. Under a reasonable assessment, and with proper security of tenure given, it is held that these lands would yield not far short of £2,000,000 per annum. The present position is thus summed up :: — :t We forfeit so much that the whole of the people of the Colony may have leave to roam at will upon the lands of the Colony, ihat each selector who desires to have 100 acres may have a million to choose from, that no squatter may feel secure upon his holding for a single year, or month, or day, and that the very best runs may be leased at the lowest rates just because they are most likely to be preyed upon." The polling for the East Sydney election took place on Friday last, and the combat was conducted, with determination by both sides. 'The result, however, proved a complete victory for the Opposition, who carried the whole of the seats. Sir Henry Parkes was fifth on the poll, some 230 votes behind Alderman M'Elhone, and 1000 behind Mr Reid, who headed the poll. His colleague, Dr Renwick, had 400 votes less, whilst the third Ministerial candidate obtained only 676 votes. Sir _ Henry Parkes received his defeat with dignity, which stood in remarkable contrast to the scurrility" exhibited by one of his opponents, Alderman M'Elhone, who preceded him in addressing the electors at the close of the poll. Sir Henry Parkes consoled himself with the reflection of William Wentworth, who has also experienced the vicissitudes of popular feeling, that " the popular breeze of to-day may be the adverse wind of to-morrow." He has since been returned unopposed for Tenterfield. The Hon. W. J. Foster, another Minister, and the Colonial Treasurer, Mr Watson, have also suffered defeat. So far, the elections have gone unmistakably in favour of ,the Opposition. The contest will extend over another fortnight. Victorian politics have been of a less exciting nature, but we have also had our election conteats, in the shape of the return of the first batch of new members to the reformed Legislative Council. There were 18 members to be chosen for 14 provinces. Eight were returned without opposition, but in the other districts the contests were conducted with a determination fully equal to that shown in a campaign for the Assembly. Interest centred in the fight for the Melbournejprovince, when there was a triangular duel. Earliest in the field was Mr George S. Coppin, a veteran on the stage, in tho political arena, and in business. Mr Coppin had many claims to support. He was an old and tried politician, and had had experience both in the Legislative Council and in the Assembly. During the past two or three years he has placed the Constitutional party under obligations by giving way on one occasion when his candidature would have endangered the seat, and in another case by contesting a forlorn hope.. A promise was given to him by the recognised leaders of the party that he should receive support for the earliest vacancy. On coming out for the Melbourne province he accordingly claimed the fulfilment of this pledge. Mr Coppin, however, laboured under the disability of baiug an actor, and on this ground his candidature was objectionable to the " religious " section of voters. A formidable rival was brought out in the person of Mr C. J. Ham, a highly-respectable man, who had just vacated the position of Mayor, which he filled with credit. As a prominent member of the Young Men's Christian Association, he received the religious support, and he was also able to command a large measure of influence in other directions. Both' he and Mr Coppin were regarded by the Constitutional party generally as suitable candidates, and electors were placed in a dilemma how to make their choice. Efforts to induce one or other to retire proved fruitless. Matters were further complicated by the appearance of a third candidate in the field. Dr Beaney, a clever surgeon, but who outside his profession has few claims to consideration, and who has shown himself to be most ludicrously ignorant as a politician, was induced by some of his friends to come forward in the Liberal interest. He was disclaimed by the Liberal organ, but, by dint of extensive advertising, a profuse expenditure of money, and smart engineering on the part of an astute election manager, it soon became apparent that his claims were by no means to be despised. After hesitating for several days, at the last moment the Argus went for Ham, advising the electors to Concentrate their energies to secure his return and to keep Beaney out. A large section of Constitutionalists, however, held themselves bound in honour to vote for Coppiu. The result of the election was that Ham obtained the seat by a majority of about 100 votes over Beaney, and 650 over Coppin. There is good reason to believe that Mr Coppin would have obtained the seat had it been thought that he would receive so large a measure of support. Considerable sympathy was manifested for him, and he has since been presented with an address and with the amount of his election expenses, modestly computed at £400. The expenses of Dr Beaney are put down at £5000. In connection with this contest Dr Beaney has commenced an action for libel — damages £10,000— against the Argus for a scathing article, in which the circumstances under which he obtained, on a recent visit to Europe, a commission f rom Mr Graham Berry (then Premier) to examine and report upon the London and European hospitals were unsparingly ripped up. In the rest of the Council elections the Constitutional candidates, in the majority of instances, have won the seats, though three or four candidates professing Liberal principles have been returned. Both the Constitutional and Liberal journals ayo\v themselves well satisfied with the results of the new experiment. The Age says : — The result of the Council elections has been on the whole more satisfactory than we had ventured to _ hope, considering the apathy shown by Liberals in offering themselves as representatives, and the dubious political antecedents of come of the candidates, It is now

evident that though parties are pretty nearly balanced in the new constituencies as a whole, the Liberals have a decided majority in some of them, and can always rely on seating good men." The Argus, on the same facts, comes to a conclusion not less gratifying to the party which it represents :: — ■„ " It is evident that the ratepayers' House now broughc into existence is of Constitutional tendencies, and that the Assembly will require to deal with it upon that basis. Such is the {it and proper termination of the great reform struggle — a struggle the fiercest perhaps ever known in Australia, and one which will live in memory as does the Reform Act agitation of 1832 in the Mother Country. The Council is strong, and its strength will be recognised. Conflicts will not bo forced upon it, but will be avoided, and, instead of the position of the two Houses being one of antagonism, we may hope now that it will be one of mutual respect. No vindictive, no class legislation is now possible, and we may expect therefore that the new era will be one of peace." These diverse views are more contradictory in appeai^ance than in reality. The widening of the electoral basis has undoubtedly liberalised the Council, but has at the same time immensely strengthened tho position of the Chamber. The Constitutional party, if according any extreme resistance to the popular will, can rely on a controlling influence in the second Chamber, and a House with so strong a constituency at their back cannot be treated with the brusqueness which Liberals were inclined to think the proper course to pursue with the old Council. Apart from the elections there has been little worthy of record in general politics. The debate on the second reading of the Land Bill has been continued, and is likely to last for another week or two. Members think it incumbent on them to talk even if no one listens, because their utterances are recorded in " Hansard," and can be shown to their constituents in proof of the energy with which they perform their duties. The Government de dare that they regard the Land Bill as an allimportant measure of policy, which will be steadily pressed .forward, even at the cost of a continuance of the session into the New Year. At the same time there is a lack of life in the question, and the desire most generally expressed is that the subject should oe postponed until the general election has enabled the people to express their convictions on the matter. In the meantime the debate goes on between those who advocate leasing and those who approve of the extension of the area of selection.

The partial failure of the South Australian loan, of which only £573,500 out of the £1,000,000 asked for was subscribed at the first offer, has caused considerable anxiety, in view of the important financial operations which Victoria will have to enter on during next year. By the leading financial authorities the explanation offered in anticipation in Westgarth's circular is considered the most probable. He pointed out in September that the last (1881) South Australian loan had been floated at such a high premium that tenderers could not dispose of their allotments except at a loss. This they had not been willing to face, and having so large a quantity of the old stock on their hands, they were not ready for fresh speculations. There is a growing feeling that Sir Bryan O'Loghlen committed a serious error of judgment in not taking advantage of the favourable state of the money market in London some months ago. It is feared that the £4,000,000 loan to be offered next month will not have been distributed among permanent investors before the conversion loan in July is placed on the market, and that Victoria may find the unpleasant position of South Australia repeated in their case. Sir Julius Vogel, writing to the Argus on this subject, arrives at the conclusion that the redemption loan will have a great advantage over ordinary loans ; whereas the latter are chiefly taken up for re-sale, and very little by actual investors, the probability is that a large number of actual investors who have held the maturing debentures will support by their applications the new loan, and so make it a greater success because of a larger proportion than usual, if not nearly the whole, being at once finally placed. The cable nas made you acquainted with the vice-regal changes. South Australians greatly regret losing Sir William Jervois, who has proved himself an able, useful, and popular Governor. There was a wish expressed here that Victoria would be the next scene of his labours, but this was not to be. Sir William Jervois will leave almost immediately for New Zealand, his intention being to arrive there in January, his commission being sent out by the San Francisco mail. Sir William Robinson, brother to your late Governor, is transfered from Western Australia to South Australia — an appointment which has been well received. The work of raising the Austral has been suspended, in compliance with injunctions received from the directors in London, who, after consulting the builders, have come to the cenclusion that it would not be safe to pump her dry for fear of breaking her back. It is therefore intended to build a coffer dam round the ship — a work which will occupy some months. In Sydney it is believed that the vessel might be raised by pumping without danger. The Board of Trade having intimated to his Excellency the Governor, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they intend holding in England an inquiry into the sinking of the Austral, and the Treasurer having expressed his approval of this course, the Marine Board consider that it is their duty to leave the matter in the hands of the Board of Trade.

The welcome given to the Australian cricketers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide has been of an enthusiastic description, befittingthose who have so worthily upheld the reputation of Australia., At the banquet given' in Melbourne some disgust was caused Dy the ungracious remarks of the Chairman (Mr Runting, in bringing up again unpleasant reminiscences of disputes which had been allowed to fall into oblivion. His taste was the more execrable inasmuch as the English team were among the invited guests. Murdoch, in a manly speech, set the matter straight, and said that the determination among all cricketers was to let the dead past bury its dead. The English Eleven have continued a career of victory by beating the New South Wales representatives even more unmercifully than the Victorians. It must, however, be remembered that they have not yet met a first-class team, as neither Colony was playing its full strength in the absence of the Australian Eleven. The religious world has been active in Melbourne during the past week. We have had the Presbyterian General Assembly and the Baptist Association holding their annual meetings, whilst of more general interest has been the Church Congress held at the instance of the Bishop, Dr Moorhouse. The proposal was mooted a few months ago at the Church Assembly, and, notwithstanding some difficulties, has been carried to so successful an issue that the experiment is likely to be repeated The Congress met on Tuesday last, and continued until Friday. Amongst those who took part in the proceedings were the Bishops of Newcastle, Bathurst, and Northern Queensland, the Deans of Bathurst ai}d Hobart, and.

other clerical notabilities from other Colonies, besides the most prominent Churchmen in the diocese. An admirable inaugural address was delivered by Dr Moorhouse, who presided. He invited everyone to speak out, his mind without concealment, to say openly what he believed, and to contradict uncompromisingly what he disbelieved. Several papers were read and addresses delivered on a variety of subjects, including the following : — The relation of the Church of England to all Protestant Churches ; the duty of the Churoh of England in reference to unbelief ; the responsibility of the Church of England to native races ; the relation of the Church of England to the social movement of the age ; the temperance work of the Church, and the question of Sunday observance. The discussion, however, which excited the most lively interest was that on the duty of the Church of England in the circumstances created by the Education Act of Victoria. A thoughtful and valuable paper was read by Mr Justice Higinbotham, who, as a strong adherent of the existing system, was listened to with much attention. He held that before Parliament should be asked to authorise the introduction of religious teaching into State schools, all the Christian Churches must agree to a specified and distinct system based on laws not less broad than those of the Christian religion, and representing the common faith, and nothing more than the common faith, of every church or sect of this professing Christian community. If such a union is to be a preliminary to any interference with the present system, those who approve of things as they stand have no cause for fear. Mr Wrixon, M.L.A., was somewhat more direct. He held that religious teaching could not be satisfactorily joined with secular instruction, but advised the plergy to arrange for giving religious teaching to the children before the school hours. He thought that this might be done without any interference with the system as it now is. Dr Moorhouse held that if some arrangement could not be made the religious motive would drop out of the lives of the next generation. The Parliament of South Australia has been prorogued until February next. A loan of £1,438,000 has been authorised ; a land bill, which contains some liberal concessions to selectors, has been passed ; the construction of the railway to connect with the Victorian system, and thus complete through communication between the capitals of our principal colonies, has been approved ; and a scheme for building an ocean dock has been agreed to. It is doubted by some whether this last work will ever be carried out, but the promoters are confident of their ability to do so, and sanguine of the ultimate prospects.

There has been an epidemic of strikes among the labouring classes. In Sydney the lumpers employed in unloading the vessels have struck for an additional 3d an hour, and the shipping trade has been brought to a standstill. As the mon can now earn from £3 to £4 a week, the employers are not inclined to give way. In Adelaide, among the same class, there has been an attempt to obtain an increase from 10s to 12s a day, and, except by the Stevedoring Company,, this has been acceded to. The navvies on the Nairne railway have also been on strike. In Melbourne there has been a dispute on a small scale between the brickmakers and their employers. Thr fact is that in th« present prosperous times work is so plentiful and labour so scarce that working men are the masters of the situation.