The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-18 00:00:00

When Sir H. BARKLY assumed the governorship
of Victoria, he found much political disunion in
that colony. After six years of debate, division,
and dissolution, on his departure from Australia,
he leaves the legislation of that colony
in about as
unsettled a state as he found it. This is in no
wise to be laid to the account of
on the contrary, he has done his best Sir H. BAiIKY
Lreconcile,
interests were diametrically opposed as far as po3sible, the contending
osedfiancntieoanrsly.
eTwveryo
point, except the one whicThhbeogtholsdiddesigogveerrsl, llosomkead,
t heir mutual necessity.
farmers, and rapidly
increasing immigrants dis-
puted
possession of vast tracts of available land
with the
the s
quatters, who held their cattle runs and
sheep walks at a nominal rental from the Govern-
ment. After many years of contention the 01 IroXXot
carried the day to a certain extent. Universal
suffrage and vote by ballot were introduced as- a
check on the undue influence exercised by the
squatters, and general rejoicings and predictions of
vast results took place. A bill was passed in the
House of Assembly legalising the opening up of
Crown and waste lands to the public at a fixed
value, something on the American system. But
the universal suffrage proved a delusion, for with a
migratory population, such as gold diggers, &c.,
the regulation which required a residence in
one particular spot before the voter could
exercise his privilege virtually rendered it
nugatory. There is every chance of land questions
being put aside, at least for a time, by the strange
and obstinate conduct of Mr.DUFFY, the President
of the Board of Land and Works, in causing the
Government of Mr. O'SIIANASSY to resign. It
seems that in granting licences to squatters on a
reduced scale, the value of the property of the
applicant had to be examined into; but as buying
and selling always vary, the squatters and Mr.
DUFFY'S agents could not agree on the assessments,
and resort was had to appeals and arbitrations.
These arbitrations were conducted by arbitrators
appointed by the Government and by the squatters
respectively, and were in number 689 appeals out
of about 900 assessments. It was confidently as-
serted that Mr. DUFFY'S assessments were reckless
and excessive, and that most of the appeals would
bo successful;; and certainly Mr. DUFFY took no
measures, by evidence or otherwise, to prevent them
from being successful. Meanwhile Parliament sat
on; slight skirmishing occasionally took place, as
to the principles of the contemplated Amending
Land Act. Some members of the assembly sug-
gested a return to the old auction system ; Mr.
DUFFY still clung to lot, to his act, and the uniform
£1 an acre price for country lands. In due time,
and at great cost to the country, the arbitrations
on the appeals were despatched. A few days back
the last lot of awards came in, and with very few
exceptions were against the Government, involving
a deficiency on this estimated head of revenue of at
least £lBO,OOO. In most cases Mr. DUFFY'S assess-
ments were reduced by more than one-half, in
many cases by more than two thirds, and frequently
to a fifth or a sixth of the official assessment.
Upon this Mr. DUFFY, being highly offended, talked
of a legerdemain on the part of the squatters which
he could not understand, and boldly declared that
he would not grant the leases or the land on such
conditions. The result of this declaration was a
division on the question, and the Government was
defeated by a majority of 16—the numbers being 42
to 26. Of course, Mr. O'SHANASSY had to tender
his resignation, which was accepted by Sir R.
BARKLY. Mr. M'CUL'OCH was sent for and
accepted the responsibility of forming an Adminis-
tration. Who will compose it is at present uncer-
tain, but many gentlemen of talent and reputation
are mentioned, and the change is looked upon with
general satisfaction. That the squatters have stolen
a march upon Mr. DUFFY is bat too probable; yet
a statesman should have some regard for at least a
show of consistency and public character, and not re-
pudiate his own act the moment he has been hasty
or imprudent. Australia has made much progress
in the last ten years in developing her resources,
and it behoves the Government of the various colo-
nies to see that liberal legislation keeps pace with
the progress of trade.

Various plans have been suggested which may
serve to keep our Volunteers in a state of efficiency.
It has been generally felt that it would be nothing
short of a national disgrace if that amateur army
which came forward so gallantly as their country a
defenders were to fall into decadence, and leave Us
at the sound of danger to seek in vain for our well-
trained rifle corps. Thanks to the general interest
taken in the service, and to the genuine patriotic
feeling of the men, the various regiments keep up
their numbers, although the first excitement has
passed away, and the alarm which called them
into existence has long since died out. The grand
reviews and rifle matches, which are matters of
national sightseeing, have contributed to animate
the different companies with a spirit of emulation,
and have proved the efficiency of their drill and
their skill in handling the rifle to universal satis-
faction. The Volunteer is still looked on in some
degree as a social lion. Balls, fetes, and dinners
have testified to his fame, and complimentary
speeches, expressions of approval from inspecting
officers, and other recognitions of merit, have grown
so common as to be almost taken for granted. All is
not so smooth, however, and an incident only notice-
able from the general efficiency of the Volunteer
force
may serve to convince critics that the praise
usually heaped on the Volunteers is not a mere mat-
ter"ewh of course.
The events of Saturday present a
at Si
neular contrast in Volunteer fortunes,
though the results
of the Corps. On thats
inconsistent did not so much depend on the
yof the nady
tlha
ed ymae smobne
rtshoe etxhee or io nn
Lan-
don Rifle Brigade
were -
competition at the title 13:1837 continuing the prize
ge of the regiment at
marksmen once
whaesusth"isl S
Plaistow Marshes dik
kill
-p t
' bids fair to make English
interestingich
especial dut
°f
more
h l34rtol
thlalrtecanillaeyd ohfroptehiet defaulters
ceremonyeni lent
City of London Rifles from their own
but we fear from the account, that it was ratherYtx
want of interest in their self-chosen profession,
Colonel 3.lOERis, C. 8., deputy inspector of Volun-
teers, held the annual inspection of this corps, the

pang was noted for blocking the pathway of civi-
lLisation. We do not say that the present body are
esirous of emulating the faults of their predeces-
sors, but we trust the Government will exercise a
iue amount of caution, and guard against being
tuts more at the mercy of any body of men what-
erver. It will be advisable at least to couple their
charter with conditions to reserve to the Imperial
G overnment the right of interference in questions
affecting the welfare of the State. It is a piece of
s;r3gular good fortune 14ich has befallen the com-
p any, and we trust that it will quicken their move-
nr lents in providing ready means of access to the in-
ti!rior of their territories. English sway, instead of
d iminishing, is likely to extend in the North Ame-
r:can provinces, much to the mortification of our
indignant Yankee friends, and we hope the ground
uow occupied by the Hudson's Bay Company will
1 efore long become one of our recognised colonies,
offering wealth to the poor, work to the industrious,
and peace and plenty to all.