VICTORIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3948, 13 December 1880, Page 3

VICTORIA.

Melboubne, Deo. 7. Mr Berry intimated to tho Assembly on Thursday that it was the intention of the Government to abandon the proposed reduction in Civil Service salaries in deference to the jmolion carried by Sir Bryan O'Loghlen. Ho stated also that Government would follow the precedent of 1869 in regard to the gratuities to dismissed servants, viz., six weeks' pay. In the Assembly on the Bame day Mr Levien moved the omission of Mr Farroll's salary from tho Estimates ; after a warm discussion a compromise was effected, under which Mr ITarrell is to be removed to some other position if his presence in the library is a source of unpleasantnees to members. It is now understood this will be done, Mr Service having complained of Mr Farrell's conduct. The Intercolonial Conference on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution in regard to the extirpation of phylloxera, the cost £20,000 to be borne ia equal proportion by tho Colonies, and the same in the event of future outbreaks in New South Wales and South Australia. Sir Henry Parkes' motion in favour of a Federal Council was also adopted, and tho Conference requested him to draft a Bill on tho subject for consideration by the Conference in Sydney. A motion in favour of joint legislation on the Chinese question also passed. Sir Henry Parkes submitted a paper on the border duties' question, which fhows that he is not in accord with the Victorian delegate on the subject, which is to bo reconsidered in Sydney. Sir Henry Parkes moved an adjournment to Sydney, to meet on Jan. 13; Mr Berry to invite the delegates of all the other Colonies. The last meeting of the Intercolonial Conference in Melbourne wus held on Friday, when an agreement was bigned by Victoria and South Australia for free trade over the border, excepting in regard to opium and jewellery. An.agreement between New South Wales and South Australia was aleo signed, under ■which the latter will pay £47,500 annually. A motion by Sir Henry Parkes, on the subject of the adoption of a common tariff, was given for discussion in Sydney. The Conference then adjourned till Jan. 13, to meet in Sydney. The delegates and members of Parliament, numbering 50, were entertained at dinner in Parliament House on Friday. Mr Berry has since sent telegrams to the West Australia and New Zealand Governments announcing what has tali en place, and has posted formal letters of invitation to tho Conference upon intercolonial questions, to be held at Sydney on Jan. 13.