The Victorian Budget, which was introduced into the House by
the Premier and Treasurer, Mr. Gullies, on July 30, shows that the Colony is prospering to an extraordinary degree. Though the population is very little over a million, the income of last year was no less than £8,674,710. A good deal of this, however, is to be accounted for by the fact that the receipts from the railways alone amounted to £3,321,000—the lines being held by the State. The Customs receipts seem to indi- cate that all classes are doing well, for the duty on wine has exceeded the estimate by £27,000, that on beer and eider by £9,000, and that on tobacco and cigars by £41,000. The fiscal proposals for next year show a curious compromise between the demands of the Protectionists and Free-traders. The farmers and winemakers are to obtain £250,000 in bonuses, £50,000 in the decrease of railway freights, while £150,000 is to be advanced in order to provide wire-fencing against the rabbits. At the same time, the duties on barley, oats, green fruits, jams, jellies, and eggs are to be increased. Traction- engines and dairy machinery, however, are to be let into the ports at a reduced tariff ; while the duties on tea, coffee, and kerosine are to be lightened or abolished, probate-duty to be made easier for the poor, and the postage rate reduced to a penny.
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