New-York tribune., 1867-05-03
AUSTRALASIA.

JNTFR-COLONIAB POSTAL CoNFERENCE AT MEL
BOURNE - 1NrER-coLoNIAL EXHIBITIONS - THE
MAORI wAR-HIE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEA-
LAND.
The steamer Ruahine J. 5. Beal, esq, Commander,
arrived in the bay of Panama Tuesday 10th inst, at
O'Clock D. m with the March mails from Australia and
New Zealand. Her dates sydney, March /, and Well
ngtOn, March g.
The Colonial Secretary and Postmaster General OF New
South Wales sailed for Melbourne the st OF March, to
attend the Inter-C COOnal Postal Conference.
The Inter Colonial Exhibition at Melbourne closed on
23d Of February During the time II remained open
ther we nearly visitors, and the receipts Tor al
mission amounted 9oo The awards OF the nry were
announced by His EXceleney the Governor Win mueh
The Maori war continues 10 drag its slow length along
% ~ bostiiities NJ appears very doubtful how
long this peace will last The events which led 10 ths re-
The return OF the gold xported from NewZealand dur
Ing the last quarter Of 1866 has just been puDsne1 anu
gives the amonntat lG OF tne fae 0i 1C' ~,
one gold field. and now the dlscoyeres nave
she rcport of policeman stationed the island, and
which has created some little sur ih 'he heIShDoins
His Excclency the Governor of New-Zeaand has been
making quite atrumphal tour through the Middle lsianu
and while In Dunedin. the following petition, signed Dy
1000 persons, was presented 20 him. The petition wen
explains the views and intentions of the petitioners
"To his Excellency Sir George Grey, n T. governor
OF the Colony NewZealand she petition OF the inhaD
itants of Dunedin City humbly sheweth; l. That the
North and Middle Islands OF New-Zeaand being sepa
rated by Cook Straits, essentially distinct That
in consequence of the large native population on me
North Island the legislation fol at island requires 70 DE
OF a different character from tina which IS suitable Tor
the Middle Island 3 That the Late Maori war oy wnise SH
whole colony OF New-Zeaand "a large sum OF money 4.
That while willing to P the CSS 10 carry SI S on 0tS the
war; your petitioners OF opinion that al future eglS
popuaton should he left entirely the inhabitants OF
the North Island and also that any llaDllties aiss
from such action should be chargeable only against the
North Island s. Your petitioners, therefore pray 1a
In order TO accomplish this, your ENcelehcy VIII oe
the two Islands as regards their Governments just and
equitable arrangements being made as to all as habui
ties. And your petitioners VIII ever pray, ete'
FREE TRADE AND PRoTEcTIoN-THE INTER-coLoNIh.
EXHIBITION.
'''~ ' MELBoURSE, Feb 2J, 1867.
During the past month the political affairs OF the
Colony of Victoria have been in continual state OF
fermen nor the excitement yet worn out ior as one
question another comes mp for discussion III the
House, Of Assembly, the debate upon 1t tends away
toward the aengrOssng problem of the day-Fee Trade
and Protection The present McCulloch Ministry, pop
uar and TO certain extent aDemOcratc one, brought
forward two ago. namely in the year 1865 pro
tectiye policy which TO be the panacea for all HIS
aud the tariff of which to save the country rom de
morazaton and ruin. IL was found out by the protee
ZIONIST party Of that time that Victoria was rapidly going
10 the dogs that the system OF free trade under which
she had groaned for so long would ultimately render her
one hugo sheepwaik; that her farmers cOuu struggle
no iSnser than M her ee yo%th Was sroWas up in
state of semi barbarism without education without en-
ployment and without hope for the future that her man
nfnctlrers were falling into decay her industries were
languishing, her capital was idle ana her whole BODY
temporal was in as sad state rs wen could De NOT was
this dismal picture totally without foundation ana u
was with sigh OF relief that the preponderatng party
hailed the new tariff as being m something wge Gs should n
find employment for their children Hardly, however
favorabe auspices although not without strong opposi
ton begun take effect than the same ministry found
wiser than heretofore, propounded system of taxa
ton which appears TO be based on no policy whatever
only on measurement, and imposed only
on such articles as WERE re-. Sro or ,sNs,s,. eogn De-
acting in directly protective manner toward the indus
tries o. country which might IN their ns1sy yegSe
for revenue purposes, imposed al yaorem duties m not
only on goods s Thsh ean M Ss for O to @
port in order to ON their manufactures Inc meas
ure has been under discussion FOR the last fortnight anu
is not vet settled although from the Government having
thrown sop 10 the farmers IN the shape OF uuty on
imported cereals is probable that II VIII DO passed py
An intercoonal conference had been sitting FOR
days before the hs 81 cony OF Wales
that for the OF 100000 paid Annually 10 that colony
ing over the Murray border the productions Of the two
Colonies TO he interchanged without duty After three
MISSED % 70 division the Government gaining their
measure by a TO a. and the treaty being ratified
has been the Exhibition established for the
eShbtion OF tho products Of the yarons Australian colo
nies ON he same plan tho exhibition held OF late years
in England America, and France The Intercolonal Ex
hibton been great success In every sense q tne
term The exhibits have been numerous and with Few
exceptions wen worthy Of the great upderasng x, r OF
ence not only in Victoria but also in the other colonies
aud skill in the highest degree The
i'm the presence largo body Of spectators although 1t
is intended shall remain open Tor short time
longer I'M anticipation OF the formation OF museum OF in
dusry and art hy such OF the exhibits as their owners
may see III to deposit permanently In IL Probably the
most event OF the month has occurred in
necton with the Exhibition being the distribution OF the
aw ards OF jurors, and presentation OF prizes In con-
with The AWarda made by His Excel