VICTORIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3597, 21 October 1879, Page 3

VICTORIA.

The miner/ strike at Sandhurst is assuming serious dimensions. Some strikers forcibly stopped operations at some mines where they supposed t'je men were working at a reduced rate, but the balk of the rnineri discountenance violence. One manager, who is wrongly supposed to be antagonistic to the miners, found a coffin with a plate bearing his name, and a terrible inscription outside hid door. The Miners' Association requested an interview with George Lansell, a rich quartz miner, •who owned many of the best mines in the district. He, at first, refused to see the deputation from the Association presided orer by a protectionist. Ultimately lie met the deputation, advising the men to accept the reduction, otherwise it was probable that fewer would be employed at tho old rate. He denounced the new duties imposed on mining machinery, and contended that a reform of the mining laws was urgently required. It is .feared that a general strike of the Bendigo miners will ensue. The strikers intend to petition tho Government to cancel all the leases if the labour covenants are not strictly adhered to.

The closed Roada : Commission report that about 14,000 mileatpf roads havo been.wrongfully closed for grazing, the value of which is £30,000 a. year.-. Ifr recommonded a compulsory opening of. all' roads ; the selectors, however, to bo-, allowed a concession of three jears. A conference representing between 30 and 40 distinct farmers' unions met at Melbourne, and the Victorian Farmers' Union was duly constituted. The principal objects sought are tho conservation or "the farmers' interests, ths revision oE the tariff in order to remove impedimenta on agriculture,, and the assisted immigration of. agricultural labourers. The conference waited on the Government, and .requested the removal of all duties on agricultural implements, bags, woolpacks, &c, ; they wero also willing to have the protective duties on farming produce abolished. Sir B. O'Logblin declared that on no account would tire Government interfere with the protective policy of tho country, bat tho Cabinet would •consider the farmors' grievances. Sir C. Sladon'g Bill to alter the constitution of the Council is passing the Upper House without material alteration. Professor Hearn proposes the adoption of Haro's system in preference to a cumulative vote. A subscription fund is being raised for the benefit of the t?ro surviving daughters of tho lato Robert Wilson, who porished in the Octagon fire, Dunedin. It is rnmoured that Sir James M'Culloch intends to contest South Gippaland.