The Australian Colonies are said to be greatly moved by
the proposed minute alteration in the Wine-duties, and intend to memorialise the Chancellor of the Exchequer. They believe the new rate will impede the sale of their local wines, which begins to be of importance. The Canadians also protest against the increase of the Stamp-duty, which, they say, will check the demand for all Colonial bonds. We are not quite sure that these statements are not intended merely to strengthen Sir William Harcourt's hands, but in any case we are sorry to see them. Nothing could check the growing feeling between the Mother-country and her Colonies so much as an attempt on the part of the latter to interfere with our internal fiscal legislation. We do not interfere with theirs, even when opposed to all sound principles, and must claim the same independence of action for our own country. England is entitled to be as free in her internal management as Victoria is, and Englishmen will feel this protest to be, at least, ungracious. The truth is, the world is growing so small that it is impossible to do anything without its affecting some other place,—a change which does not tend either to liberty of experiment or to friendship. It is as if the law of gravitation were suddenly doubled in force, and all the planets were threatening to knock against each other.
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