The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-15 00:00:00

Aus

We observe that the Protectionist vagaries which
have of late formed so large a portion of our colonial
politics have drawn some attention on the other side
of the world. . . . Our own late Ministry, which is
the first we have had that openly courted and rested
on the support of the Protectionist party, has
been defeated, after a general election, by the
largest majority by which any of our Minis-
tries have ever been turned out of office. This
result has not been all due to the overwhelm-
ing force of free trade convictions, and we should
be receiving more credit than is our due if we
were to be complimented on that supposition.
A number of circumstances combined to make
the Ministry unpopular ; but the central grievance
around which the others clustered was undoubtedly
its perverse and determined attempt to introduce a
tariff which had a Protectionist tendency. . . .
An allowance in the opposite direction must be made
by our distant critics in speculating on the state of
affairs in Victoria. Protection there seems to be
almost as popular as free trade is here. But the
appearance is largely delusive. The Ministry which
proposes Protection is popular there. Local rea-
sons exist for keeping it in, and keeping out its
possible successor ; and thus many persons wink at
the Protectionist,proclivities as an evil of smaller
magnitude than a Cabinet crisis. The Protec-
tionist party there has gained by a fortunate al-
liance, just as here it lost by an unfortunate one.
At the same time, even in any case we might
have hoped for a protest in the right direction, and
this, not so mud' because there is widely diffused
any comprehensive appreciation of the principles of
political economy, as because local circumstances
tend to make all persons actually engaged in busi-
ness see that, at present at least, a free commerce is
most profitable to us. Our non-insularity has pre-
served us greatly from the effect of Protectionist
arguments. In New Zealand, which is an island,
package duties have been for some time imposed,
and have lately been increased as the readiest
means of increasing the revenue. In Tasmania,
which is an island, ad valorem duties were
imposed to make up the revenue, and were only
attacked because the Ministry was declining in
popularity, and the new duties made a good cry
at the elections. In South Australia, the chief port
of which is unsuited for an entrepot trade, ad valo-
rem duties have been for some time in existence.
But in New South Wales the case is different. The
port of Sydney drives a large trade with the inte-
rior, for a considerable portion of which it has to
undergo a sharp competition with other ports, and
has of late years been' rather losing ground than
gaining. It also carries on a considerable coasting
trade, to which precisely the same remarks apply.
It was necessary absolutely to try the experiment
of Protection to see the consequences of it, although
a small taste was given during the few weeks in
which, pending the decision of Parliament, the
Government enforced its proposed tariff. When
business men of all classes came to look in the
face the obvious effect on their trade of the pro-
jected duties, they saw at once that it would in-
volve diminished business, and therefore, without
troubling their heads with abstract theories of poli-
tical economy, they came straight to the conclusion
that whatever community Protection may suit, it
was clearly unfitted for New South Wales in its
present stage of development, and so they polled
heavily against it. It is fortunate, too, that the
Protectionist scheme in Victoria was not launched
till ours was disposed of. Had our neighbours taken
the lead and established their proposed tariff, the
competitive objection to its adoption by us would
have been so largely diminished that, pressed as we
we were for revenue, we should have been in far
greater danger of being drawn into it than we were. It
may be said that Protection is as suicidal in Victoria
as it would be in New South Wales. So it doubtless
is, and the mercantile class does not fail to note the
fact. But there is a feeling abroad in that colony
that it can afford to weight itself in the race, and
yet win. It is the most populous, the most wealthy,
and perhaps the most enterprising of the Australian
colonies ; and there is a sort of proud feeling extant
that it can go to a certain length in protecting ma-
nufactures and yet take the lead in intercolonial
commerce. However, it is a dangerous experiment
to try, especially with its territory enclosed by
colonies in which free trade is now in the ascen-
dant. New South Wales may be considered as
guaranteed against any serious leaning towards
protection for some time to come. On the other
side of Victoria, the colony of South Australia is
tending more and more in its policy towards free
trade. It has had the good sense to nurse its land
revenue and to avoid extravagant expenditure, and
is about to enjoy its good fortune in this respect by
a reduction of taxes.—Sydney Morning Herald.

MARKETS—This Day.

COVENT GARDEN.
Our market is seasonably well supplied with fruit and
egetables, and the trade rules steady, as follows :

rntrlT.
Pine app 8
les s• d. s. d.
0 to 10 0
Foreign do., each 0 oto 0 0
Grapes,per lb 0 oto 0 0
Foreign do 1 6to 2 6
Melons
Nectarines, per dz 0 oto 0 0
Apples, per hf-sv. 2 6to 4 0
Pears, per do
Oranges, per 100..4 oto 10 0
Lemons, per 100 5 oto 8 0
Gooseberries hf eve° oto 0 0
Strawberries pr pt 0 oto 0 0

. e
lirul 0
erries,prpt 0 oto 0
Cherries, per lb. 0 oto 0
Foreign ditto, pun° oto 0
Filberts, per lb 0 9to 1
Walnuts, per 100 0 oto 0
Cobnuts, per lb .. 0 oto 0
Almonds, per bus 0 oto 0
Figs, per doz. .... 0 oto 0
Peaches, per d 0... 0 0 to 0
Currants, per b.av 0 oto 0
Plums, per do. .. 0 oto 0
Damsons, pr d 0... 0 oto 0

VEGETABLES.
Greens, dz bunch 4 6to 5 6 Shallots, per lb .. 0 oto 0 Cabbages, pr doz 0 010 0 0 Horseradish, pdo 1 oto 2
Red ditto 3oto 4 0 Parsley, per ditto 00to 0 Savoy do., pr dz l6to 2 .6 Celery, per ditto 10to 2 C
Cauliflowers, pdz 1 3to 2 6 Beet, per doz. .. 0 oto 0 C
Brocoli 1 2 to 1 6 Parsnips, per do. 0 oto 0 C
Potatoes, per ton 60 oto 150 0 Small salad, p. pn, 0 oto 0 C
New ditto, pr put 1 oto 0 0 Mushrooms. p pt. 1 oto 1 a
Turnips, dz bunch 2 oto 3 0 Artichokes, each 0 oto 0 8 Carrots,pr do 4 6to 5 8 Cos lett, score ~ 0 oto 0 0
Cucumbers ooto 0 0 Mint and savory-0 oto 0 Garlic, per lb
Sorrel, per sieve 0 oto 0 0 Radishes, dz hnds 0 oto 0 0
Green peas, h.-sy. 0 oto 0 0 Tomatoes, doz... 0 oto 0 0
French beans,h.s. 0 oto 0 0 Chillies, per ditto 0 oto 0 0
Onions, doz. h.s, 1 6to 1 9 Capsicums, per do 0 oto 0 0
New Do., dz bun 0 oto 0 0 Rhubarb, per bun 0 3to 1 0
Spinach. . 0 Bto 1 0 Asparagus, pr do. 0 oto 0 6
Brussels sprouts 0 oso 0 0 Seakale, per bun, 1 oto 1 6
POULTRY.
Turkeys, 5s Od to 8s Od ,OsOdto Os Od each goslings, is Od to 9s Od ; ducksg,eese Os Od to Os Od ; ducklings,;
3s 6d to 7s Od ; rabbits, is Od to is 10d each ; wild do., 10d
to is 2d ; pigeons, Os 8d to Os 10d each ; Surrey fowls,
10s Od to 15s Od ; chickens,7s Od to lOs Od ; barn door fowls,
4s Od to 7s 6d ;• capons, Os Od ; hares, Os Od to Os Od ;
Ptarmigan, Os Od to Os Od each ; pheasants, Os Od to Os Od ;
Oddpartriges, Os Od to Os Od; woodcocks, Os Oto Os Od; snipes, is to, is 3d ; teal, 1s Od to Os Od ; wild ducks, 2s Od to
Os Od ; widgeons, is Od to is 3d ; plovers, 1s Od to Os Od
each ; guinea fowls, 5s Od to 6s 6d ; roasting pigs, Os Od to
Os Od each ; Ostend fresh butter, is ld to is 3d ; English,
1s 2d to is 4d per lb ; English eggs, 7s 6d to 8s Od ;
French do., 5s 6d to 6s 6d per 100 ; leverets, Os Od to
Os Od ; grouse, Os Od to Os Od.

BILLINGSGATE.
Salmon, is Gd to 2s Od ; trout, Os Od to Os Od ; eels, Os 8d
to Os 10d ; prawns, Os Od ; pike, skate, sturgeon, and hali-
but, 6d per lb ; turbots, 2s 6d to 14s Od ; cod, 2s Od to
lOs Od ; brills, 2s Od to lOs Od ; doreys, 2s Od to 8s Od ; mul-
lets, 1s Od to 2s Od ; lobsters, 1s Od. to 5s Od ; crabs, Os 6d
to s6d ; plaice and gurnets, Os Od to Os Od each ; soles,
Os 6d to 2s 6d per pair ; common oysters, 12s Od to 60s Od;
natives, 84s Od to 90s Od per bushel ; whitings, 5s Od to
lOs Od ; haddocks, 4s Od to 20s Od ; smelts Os Od to Os Od ;
flounders, Os Od per dozen ; mackerel, —s Od to Os Od per
120 ; fresh herrings, 8s Od to Os Od per 120 ; bloaters, Os Od
to Os Od per 100 ; carp and tench, Os Od to Os Od per brace.
NEWPORT.
Beef, from 2s 10d to 4s 4d ; mutton, 3s Gd to 4s 8d ;
lamb, 5s 8d to 6s 8d ; veal, 3s 10d to 4s 8d ; and pork, 3s 4d
to 4s 8d per 81bs, by the carcase.

WHITECHAPEL.
Beef, from 2s 10d to 4s 4d ; mutton, 3s 6d to 4s 8d ;
lamb, 5s 8d to 6s 8d; veal, 3s 103 to 48 8d; and pork,
3s 4d to 4s 8d per 81bs, by the carcase,

BREAD.
The prices of wheaten bread in the metropolis are from
bid to 7d, of household do., 5d to Gd per 41b loaf.

HIDES AND SKINS.
Market hides, 561 b to 641 b, 2i-d to 3d ; 641 b to 721 b, 3d to
34 d ; 721 b to 801 b, 3d to 3id ; 801 b to 881 b, 3id to 4d ; 881 b
to 961 b, 4d to 41d ; 961 b to 1041 b, Od to Od ; 1041 b to 1121 b,
Od to Od. Horse hides, 9s Od to 10s Od ; calf-skins, light,
2s Od to 4s Od ; full, 6s 6d to Os Od ; polled sheep, —s Od to
s Od ; half-breds, lOs Od to lOs 6d ; Downs, 7s Od to 8s 6d;
shearlings, is 7d to Os Od.

HAY MARKETS.
SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 10s to £5 lOs Od ; clover,
£5 lOs to £6 lOs Od ; and straw`, £1 8s to £1 14s per load.
A fair trade.
CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 lOs to £5 lOs; clover,
£5 8s to £6 lOs; and straw, £1 8s to £1 16s per load.
A firm detaand.
WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay', £4 lOs to £5 10s ; clover,
£5 10s to £6 lOs; and straw, £1 7s to £1 14s per load.
Trade steady.

ADMISSION OF ATTORNEYS.—There are as many
as 111 applicants for admission as attorneys next term, not-
withstanding the stringent examination imposed upon all
candidates.