The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-17 00:00:00

SOCIAL PReßLblis J 3 AUsTRALIAL

Social questions have assumed no new phase, ex-
cept that we enjoy a temporary respite from the
fouler features of crime. In our last summary, as
in several preceding, we had to rec -ir.l a long list of
murders and of less atrocious t ffences against the
person, and found it necessary to ,viudicate our
g-neral social reputation against the suspicir'n that
lawlessness was one of our ruling characterist.cs—
a suspicion which, in the strong tendency that-dis-
plays itself to misjudge Aus!rAli., th&' thank re-.
corded instances of lawlessness not Unnaturally
.eng-nder. In reviewing the past month we might
find sufficient materials frr a sombre story, but the
crim, s we should 'chronicle assume no dimensions
larger than 'those that comnionly prevail in all
societies, and do not call, therefore,•for special re-
cord. Such as they are, they are, to a great ex-
tent, traceable to the drinking habits which the
cJudilions of the col my unfortunately foster.
Hence ir, is one of our permanent problems how to-
regulate and re,trict the traffic In intoxicatinrs
drinks without imposing undue restraints- either
upon freeiom of commerce or upon: individual
liberty. Mtny persons call for all enlattedent of a
prohibitory measure similar to the Maine Liquor
L tw, but no demonstration has yet b en made of
such a gen, ral consent of public opinion as would
alone justify the adeption of that course. Some
considerable time since, however, the Legislature,
after mature deliberation, and strongly supported
by put lie sentiment, prohibited the ttaffic in spirits
under any circumstances on the Sunday. This law
his now been in operation for the last two or three
years, and although the publican interest have
throughout complained (f it as an unjust inter-
ference with their trade, the agitation has not until
Low reached a head. There are atilt no signs of any-
thing like a genet al diss:itisfaction withate law as it
is, or, iiideed, of any amount of dissatisfection con-
side: able eucugh to justify
any
alterelPt to disturbh
the present settlement.
of etoiPnue bOfeoetuiB;
public
men,nw-
have gained the err
en, and a measure is now before Parlia neat in.
troduc, d by Mr. Haines, the la'e premier, legal.
ising the opening of
public-houses on the Sunday
during certain hour. The bi.l has not yet been
read a second time, and the arcing demonstration
that has been made against it by petitions pre-
sented to Parliament ought to prevail with the
house to reject it. Among the coionial instituti na
which have been established for the promotion of
education and the general advancemr nt of science,
are the Universly of Melbourne and the Philo-
sophical Institute of Victoria. In connection with
bo Ii of th se, incidents of interest have occurred
during the past week. At the Unive:sity there has
been admis-ion to degrees. The Institute has held
its anniversary, at which the new president, Sir
W. F. S. awell, chief jes'ice, delivered his inaugu-
ral addre-s, and the Governor spoke in dignified
and courageous rebuke of the too prevalent hid f-
fere nce to scientific pursuits and to the claims of
scient tie men. Coloui 1 soci ty is distinguished
by a singular combina,ion of eccasii n 1 and fitful
predig dity in the establishment and support of the
ins, i utiolis of learning, with a frequent disinclina-
tion
to make even the slightest sacrifices for .title mist. In our University we have
.erecse.telden;
costly establishment, the f • •
nuts of which it will be
many years before we shall reap, while our Legis-
lature manifested a sir inge reluctance to afford
even slight aid to Pri fessor Neumayer, a Prussian
savant, who brought with him very complete in-
struments for the prosecution of magnetic obser-
vatioes. ,\Ve may reasonably hope that these
caprices will prove to be nothing but the effects
of t e waywai chess of a strong undisciplined youth,
arid that as society becomes consolidated our sup-
port of the higher arts of learning will, be more
consistent and uniforni.—Mellssterne atit ;est
ti,r Li..., tea

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