The battle in Australia between Free-trade and Protection will be
very severe. The Commonwealth depends for general revenue upon its Customs duties, which will be ample even after paying to the separate States their stipulated shares. But in order to raise the required ten and a half millions duties are to be levied which will amount, roughly speaking, to an average of 25 per cent. To the twenty-four Free-traders in the Lower House these duties seem monstrous, as they will to Free- traders in this country ; but the Protectionists have almost a majority, and the balance of power belongs to the Labour party, who, food not being in question, may be won over, as they have been in America. These facts are not very hope- ful; but it must be remembered, as a well-informed corre- spondent of the Times has pointed out, that the large inter- colonial trade has been finally released by federation from any duties whatever, and will therefore be developed, as the internal trade of America has been, to large proportions. It would develop still more quickly were not Australian work- men so jealous of European immigration. Their dislike of dark immigrants is natural, and probably wise ; but they cannot grow quickly into a great State if they prevent a large influx of population from Europe. Every white man who lands brings capital, for he must, and will, produce at least 30s. a week by his labour, and if he is a " rough lot," his children need not be.
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