The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-30
LEGISLATIVE BLUNDERs IN AUSTRALASIA.

To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your editorial this morning upon the above
subject you say that the news shows how the ener.
gies OF the people ia Australia ''are still hampered
to the prejudice OF the public interests, by the
whlms ana caprces OF an Executive directed from
the far distant European centre In London.n Hav.
ing passed many years OF my lie In Australia 1
feel than an interest In that part of the world
and, reading the above, turned with some anxiety
to see what the could be that had drawn forth
such remark. read ana reread the IIERALD's
dispatches, but could 1nd nothing TO justify IT, nor
anything to which can Imagine your reference to
be direct ed, unless IT be to the difficulty that has
arisen between TWO OF the colonies Victoria and
New South Wales-upon the subject OF customs
duties. Upon this allow me to offer some remarks.
The Australian colonies are as free from Downing
street rule as any portion OF the British Empire.
They suner no direction whatever from any
European CENTRE In any way, upon any subject OF
taxation, internal or external. They have absolute
control or their own destinles In all matters per.
tanning TO their own government. Great Britain
las no part IN the levyiug OF taxes, or In de-
fning what taxes shall and what shall rot be
levied than she has In electing the Mayor OF Mel
bourne. The British government therefore cannot
justly be held responsible for any difficulty which
score. England mas learned the lesson, and profted
by H. too, that O vast empire cannot be governed
from one centre IN all these matters or detail; and,
If mistake NOT the United States, even with
more compact empire, Will one day have to learn 1t
also Here IS a profitable ana suggestive topic for
speculation. But avoid the temptation in order
TO give you note OF history. In the earlier days OF
gold mining IN Victoria 10 was found that numerous
articles upon which import duties were levied
crossed the border into New South Wales and Uice
versa. Both colonies desired to stop this, but to
institute Customs police along the Murray River
and the subsequent boundary line would have cost
more than all the duties many times told. Hence
arose the first suggestion Tor Colonial CCniedera-
ton, which ultimately widened into proposal for
sucn q union as would provide uniform system
Tor regulating the customs, Post ONCE, telcsraphs
and International railways. AT the moment when
TINS proposal was being most actively discussed
Charles Gavan Duny began his pubic career In
Melbourne, and he took up the plan with much
zeal Since then IL has occupied more attention,
aud II International conferences, puollc meetings,
newspaper articles and private discussions could
would nave been c0nsummated many years ago.
But dimcultle5 nave arlsen one after another at
last 1t was decided 10 waive the collection OF Gus.
toms on the uoruer, upon the assumption that
tween Victoria and New South Wales, 1t would 10
tuMcient thaJ Imported goods had paid q duty at
.ne port oil entry. The Legislative Assembly or
new south wales almost unanimously endorsed
t tn view Dut the Ministry, ing Ia the face OF
.e VIII OF Parliament, resolved TO collect the DIN.
WE, WE. me Assembly In turn adopted the constu-
yAal lhctuod or resisting this by a refusal TO vote
ane u.p'tes ana, In order TO submit the whole
ssvica ~ ~ we constituencies, the Governor by
duNlce oi Tue Executive dissolved ParIi0ment y"
Ihal mas the position of afllra al data nf vorr
aasces' ~ IS LEGISLATIVE lock, admit but not
one oil vltal importance, nor one I'm when To-
BIilsh FoseIhnlent has the smallest concern
Trusting 10 your usual sense OF iatIce IN iHser;
TINS, am, yours faithfully, S' " i"Iei'
A NEW CRUsTACEAN.-A letter from p,osossor