The Express.
London, England, 1858-11-08 00:00:00

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Parliament was summoned for the despatch of
business on the 7th October. It was understood
that Ministers will endeavour to push forward the
estimates for the ensuing year, so me to enable the
Houses in a brief session to pass the Appropriation
Act, and dispose of the Reform Bill.
The question of defenoes has long occupied public
attention. A Commission was recently appointed
to report generally on the subject. " We believe;
says the Argus," they recommend that a block-ship
of some 80 guns be forwarded from England to
be moored within Port Phillip Heads, and that the
Bay on either side of the mouth of the river be
armed with batteries. Volunteer forces are en-
rolling in all the principal districts of the colony.
These facts will show that we are not insensible
either to our dangers or oar responsibilities. Whilst
we are thus preparing, however, for whatever contin-
gencies may befall us as a part of the British em-
pire, we trust that the recognition of our relation-
ship will be a reciprocal one, and that England will
remember she has a duty to perform to us. In the
event of a war, there are treasures in Australia that
may well tempt the cupidity of an enemy. They
constitute a part of the national wealth, and should
be in some measure under the shield of national
protection."
Of the labour market the Argue reports :
We have still many men unemployed. The railway works
have been interrupted by strike., muted pertly by the unfair
treatment of the contractors, and pertly by a foolish attempt
on the part of the men to force from them a higher rate of
wages at • time when this was impossible, as labour Is still
• much In excess of the present demand. The contractors
have, as think prejudicially to their future iuterest, taken
sdvsntsge of the temporary superfluity of labour, not only
to keep men working at the very lowest male of
ramosera-
tion, but otherwise so to treat there ea to km the men
In • state of constant dissatisfaction. The sersielties
of many compel them to work for anyone who
will give them the opportunity of earning their
bread ; but the best men are leaving the works
In dlegurt whenever they have • chaos of em-
ployment elsewhere, and the bad feeling against the C 011•
traCtolll will not be forgotten when working men ere at •
premium again. When their day 0003.11 they are likely to
make unpopular employers pay dearly for the advantage now
pomeased, and so inconsiderately used, end the tables mod
be turned before long. The number of men employed as
the works is as yet oomua'atively small; but this mast
very iron be increased. Under the terms of the contracts
many more Men should have been taken on before now;
end on • late °caution the President of the Board of Land
end Works Mated that as the spring edvanoss be will (Deist
on the full complement bung employed, so that the con-
struction of the lime may proceed with the required speed.
We are n..mw half over the first month of spring, and in
few dam or at most in two or three weeks, shearing will have
generally counneoced. There will al.° be a large outlay of
capita] on the gold-gelds. necessitating the employment of
much hired lab tar, at that the present superabundanoe will
eon be drafted off into three several channel', and em-
ployers will be again competing for the services of any men
who happen to be disengaged.
Of the commercial state of the colony, the Mel-
bourne Age observes :
The past month has been marked by • tone of slinnet
universe] depretaion in the ituport markets. Within the lad
few days a slight improvement has been manifest, but pee-