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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. 4.—No. 41.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, NOYEMBER 6. 1880.
Fix this textPrice—3d.
Fix this text§wlktin.
Fix this textSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1880.
Fix this textA Barren Stock.
Fix this textThe natural results of the coalition dodge
Fix this textcommence to become apparent. The Parkes-
Fix this textKobertson Administration promises to resemble
Fix this textan algebraic equation, in which the sides are
Fix this textequal, and x equals o. The, Premier’s Orange
Fix this textspeech has been accepted throughout the colony
Fix this textas —and was evidently intended to be —a formal
Fix this textdeclaration of the policy of his Cabinet, pro-
Fix this textmulgated for the bewilderment of the con-
Fix this textstituencies at the coming general election. It
Fix this textis clear from the vagueness of the forecast that
Fix this textthe fusion of old opponents into a single Cabinet
Fix this texthas only been effected in one respect—a division of
Fix this textthe spoils of office. There has been no assimilation
Fix this textof views, no concession of essentials. The jarring
Fix this textparts of the Ministry are plainly as much at vari-
Fix this textance, although assembled in one group, as ever
Fix this textthey have been when ranged in open opposition.
Fix this textWhatever of energy or of conviction may be pos-
Fix this textsessed by one individual member of the Ministry
Fix this textis cancelled by the energy or the convictions,
Fix this textexercised in an opposite direction, of some other;
Fix this textand the result is equipoise. The operation of
Fix this textopposing forces, when of equal power, is to
Fix this textproduce a state of rest. And this seems to be
Fix this textexactly the condition of affairs in the coalition
Fix this textCabinet. The country has benefitted a little, but
Fix this textnot much, by the little private arrangement
Fix this texteffected between party-leaders. The balance of
Fix this textinfluence has taken a somewhat less aggravating
Fix this textor expensive form. Instead of two equal parties
Fix this textexisting in Parliament, mutually preventing each
Fix this textother from effecting useful legislation, and keeping
Fix this textthe colony in constant hot water with changes of
Fix this textMinistry, dissolutions, and crises, the dead-lock
Fix this texthas been shifted into the Cabinet itself. This is
Fix this textjust so much an advantage that the differences of
Fix this texta few men are more easily adjusted than the differ-
Fix this textences of many. It is a simpler affair for half a
Fix this textdozen Ministers to settle among themselves what
Fix this textthey will not agree about, or what they can
Fix this textmanage to bring to a basis of common consent,
Fix this textthan for a whole Assembly to do so. But, on
Fix this textthe other hand, the stimulus of competition for
Fix this textpublic acceptance, which is so sharp a spur to
Fix this textparties, is lost when a coalition Cabinet is formed,
Fix this textand responsibility to Parliament and to the country
Fix this textis reduced to mere shadow. There is now really no
Fix this textmeans of calling the Government to account. The
Fix this textcountry is lulled into an unhealthy indifference by
Fix this textministerial speeches which read as if compounded
Fix this textof narcoticis. The public appear to have drifted
Fix this textinto the belief that because the Ministry have
Fix this textadapted do-nothing for their motto, there is
Fix this textnothing which requires doing. Take land legis-
Fix this textlation as a single example. There is probably not
Fix this texta single individual in the colony who believes the
Fix this textpresent state of the land laws to be anything else
Fix this textthan an organized failure. The prime objects of
Fix this textall land legislation in the colony should be, the
Fix this textattraction of an industrious population by facilities
Fix this textfor settlement on suitable lands, and the utmost
Fix this textencouragement of production. Can it be pretended
Fix this textthat the land laws as they stand have been
Fix this texteffectual to any of these ends ? Are people pouring
Fix this textin from the old country to hive themselves like a
Fix this textswarm of bees on the rich and ample territory of
Fix this textNew South Wales ? Could they obtain homesteads
Fix this textwith reasonable ease were they to come P Do the
Fix this textlaws of the colony tempt them by simplicity and
Fix this textdirectness ? Do we offer facilities for intending
Fix this textsettlers, or do we not rather, by a tangle of con-
Fix this textfused and harrassing enactments, trip them up at
Fix this textevery step ? It is notorious, it is a crying scandal,
Fix this textthat the latter is the case. Yet we are to rest and
Fix this textbe thankful; to rub our hands and scratch our
Fix this textbeads, and thank Providence that we have Sir
Fix this textHenry Parkes and Sir John Robertson to do
Fix this textnothing for us, only not clawing at each others
Fix this textwigs. It would be as well were one of these gifted
Fix this textstatesmen to announce where the blessing to the
Fix this textcolony comes in. The two knights appear to have
Fix this textagreed to resist the demand for abolition of interest
Fix this texton selectors, balances. This is probably a resolution
Fix this textfor which the country should be thankful. The
Fix this textnaked demand amunoted to little less than re-
Fix this textpudiation. But surely this blank refusal, honest
Fix this textthough we are willing to account it, is a very cheap
Fix this textway of dealing with the matter. There might
Fix this texthave been statesmanship enough to devise a fresh
Fix this textadjustment or distribution of burdens in connection
Fix this textWith a radical reform of the whole system of land
Fix this textlegislation, which would have afforded relief to the
Fix this textdeserving—the lona fide struggling selector, —with-
Fix this textal' conferring a bonus upon the land shark. The
Fix this textMinisters evidently are not able to agree upon any
Fix this textland legislation, and the colony must wait and
Fix this textsuffer, in order that the Parkes—Robertson
Fix this textentente cordiale may not be disarranged. This is
Fix this textPersonal government with a vengeance. It can
Fix this text■l® shown that it is not for any lack of knowledge
Fix this textnat land reform is required- The amending bill
Fix this textI last session was by the confession of its intro-
Fix this text®cers, to be merely a temporary measure —a
Fix this textstop-gap till the massive minds, united for the
Fix this textfirst time in one Cabinet, should produce a com-
Fix this textprehensive and exhaustive measure worthy of the
Fix this textgigantic organization. Now that we are on the
Fix this textbrink of a general election, not a whisper is
Fix this textvouchsafed about the magnificent design. It
Fix this textcannot be said that the paltry patchwork of last
Fix this textsession fills the cup of Ministerial expectations
Fix this textand ideals. There have been, even in connection
Fix this textwith the burning question of remission of interest,
Fix this textevidences that neither Sir Henry Pabkbs nor
Fix this textSir John Robertson regarded the existing plan
Fix this textas perfect. Or perhaps it would be more correct
Fix this textto say that each has ere now made a bid for popu-
Fix this textlarity by favouring a relaxation of present obliga-
Fix this texttions. In the year 1861, when “ Free-Selection
Fix this textJack ” was pushing the staple of the present law
Fix this textthrough the Assembly, Mr. Henry Parke s
Fix this textmoved an amendment to the effect that any
Fix this textconditional purchaser who had performed the
Fix this textconditions of residence and improvements should
Fix this textbe entitled to a grant in fee. Had this amend-
Fix this textment been passed, the price of land to a selector
Fix this textwould have been five shillings per acre, without
Fix this textinterest. If that rate was desirable then, what
Fix this textshould be said now that the eyes of the country
Fix this texthave been picked ? Again, in the Bill introduced
Fix this textby Sir James Martin in 1867, there were provi-
Fix this textsions for reducing the balance of purchase money
Fix this textby five shillings per acre, prospective and retro-
Fix this textspective ; and there was also a provison for
Fix this textalienation of land for settlement at fifteen shil-
Fix this textlings per acre. In 1871, a Bill was introduced by
Fix this textthe Government, of which Mr. John Robertson
Fix this textwas a member, providing for the payment of pur-
Fix this textchase money in all future selections by ten annual
Fix this textinstalments, without interest. The 46th clause
Fix this textof this Bill was retrospective, and contained the
Fix this textfollowing provision:—“That any payment that
Fix this textmay have been made as interest money
Fix this textshall be considered as principal money paid
Fix this textin redemption of the balance of the pur-
Fix this textchase money on any conditional purchase.”
Fix this textIn the 43rd clause of this Bill, provision was made
Fix this textfor the sale of land at the back of a selection, at
Fix this textfive shillings per acre, one shilling and three pence
Fix this textto be paid on lodging the application and the
Fix this textbalance by ten annual instalments without interest.
Fix this textSeveral clauses of this Bill dealt with the sale of
Fix this textpastoral homesteads. A pastoral homestead was
Fix this textnot to exeeed 16000 acres the average price per
Fix this textacre was eight shillings. A deposit of one fourth the
Fix this textpurchase money was required on lodging the
Fix this textapplication. Three years residence was required,
Fix this textand improvements to the value of seven shillings
Fix this textper acre. The balance of purchase money had to
Fix this textbe paid after the expiration of three years
Fix this textby ten annual instalments without interest.
Fix this textA notice of motion was given in the Assembly by
Fix this textMr. Thomas Robertson, the then member for
Fix this textHume, which was substantially what the Free-
Fix this textselectors’ Association are now agitating. That
Fix this textmotion, after discussion, was negatived. In the
Fix this textLand Bill introduced by Mr. Fabnell, in the
Fix this textyear 1878, it was proposed that all future con-
Fix this textditional purchasers should pay the balance of
Fix this textpurchase-money by fifteen annual instalments of
Fix this textone shilling per acre, and it left the question of
Fix this textselections in the past untouched. We have traced
Fix this textthis question of interest and deferred payments
Fix this textfrojn its origin, and we have done so with the
Fix this textobject of putting our readers in possession of facts
Fix this textthat will enable them more intelligently to think
Fix this textout and discuss the subject in all its bearings.
Fix this textThe inferences are plain. It is not settled convic-
Fix this texttion which now influences the two leaders to burke
Fix this textbhe subject of land reform. Personal convenience
Fix this textis preferred to public necessities. No one imagines
Fix this textthat of the 132,476 selections already made more
Fix this textthan a fraction are hand fide. The colony is suffer-
Fix this texting from a species of apoplexy. Its life-blood, the
Fix this textpopulation, is concentrating in its head, the
Fix this textmetropolis. Settlement and production are almost
Fix this textparalyzed in comparison with the quickening
Fix this textwhich would result could the vital fluid be induced
Fix this textto circulate freely to every extremity. The un-
Fix this textemployed are like the poor of ancient Judoea.
Fix this textThey are with us always. And this, too, while a
Fix this textwhole territory of unexampled fertility invites the
Fix this texthand of labor to stimulate it into yielding its
Fix this textincrease. The coalition Ministry boasts of its
Fix this textstrength. What a miserable boast is this when it
Fix this textis content to do nothing. Hercules is remembered,
Fix this textnot for his strength, but for what that strength
Fix this textenabled him to accomplish. What a pitiful
Fix this textmemory would have been left by a Hercules who
Fix this textpassed his existence in lolling on his back
Fix this textannouncing what ho would not do, and bragging
Fix this textabout his muscle. Have wo no Augrean stables ?
Fix this textIs the Hydra of dummyism, with its hundred
Fix this textheads, extinct?
Fix this textThe Hon. Sir J. G. Long Innes, K.C.M.G.,
Fix this textMinister of Justice.
Fix this textAustralians have won a distinguished position
Fix this textamongst the athletes and gymnasts—the men of
Fix this textpluck and muscle—of both Europe and America.
Fix this textThis is fortunately not the only red-letter note to
Fix this texttheir credit in the records of contemporary history.
Fix this textThey have aimed at a higher kind of excellence,
Fix this textand have most creditably succeeded in winning
Fix this texthonor and emolument. Hundreds of native-born
Fix this textcolonists have tried their mental strength—their
Fix this textintellectual fibre —in celebrated old-world medical
Fix this textschools, and their efforts have been crowned with
Fix this textsuccess. Many have also gained laurels in
Fix this text, theology and jurisprudence, and a few deserve
Fix this textdistinction as literary critics. Probably the gift
Fix this textof seeing types of “the Beauty that is ever
Fix this textancient and always new ” was more perfectly
Fix this textdeveloped in the brothers Harpur—Charles and
Fix this textJoseph—than in any two of their contemporaries,
Fix this textwhether English or Australian. We have hereto-
Fix this textfore alluded to the subtle and discriminating
Fix this textgenius of Daniel Henry Deniehy, and have en
Fix this textpassant referred to the vigorous intellect of the
Fix this textpresent Chief Justice. We might enrich these
Fix this textremarks with other illustrations ; but as we shall
Fix this texthave presently to notice the career of a worthy
Fix this textson of the soil—a learned and able gentle-
Fix this textman—it will be needless to dwell more at length
Fix this texton the honors gained on the intellectual arena by
Fix this textworthy Australians. Amongst the many dis-
Fix this texttiguished men now in the foreground of public
Fix this textlife, or who have reached the summit of their
Fix this textambition, there is not one that has a mind more
Fix this textfinely toned, or attuned to loftier aspirations, than
Fix this textSir Joseph George Long Innes, the present
Fix this textMinister of Justice. His career has been a
Fix this textuniform success, never marred by any of those
Fix this textcontingencies which too often affect the lives of
Fix this textmen of genius or ability. Born in Sydney, on the
Fix this text16th October, 1834, he is now in the 47th year of
Fix this texthis ago, in the prime of intellectual life, and in the
Fix this textfirst ranks of his profession. He is the eldest sou of
Fix this textof a veteran British soldier, the late Captain
Fix this textInnes, formerly of the 39th Regiment, and for
Fix this textmany years principal Superintendent of Police in
Fix this textNew South Wales. The subject of this notice
Fix this textreceived the rudiments of his education at Mr. T.
Fix this textCape’s famous school, and afterwards read a full
Fix this textclassical and mathematical course at King’s Col-
Fix this textlege, Parramatta, under the Rev. Robert Forrest,
Fix this texta good scholar and acute critic. When Mr. Innes
Fix this textleft school, which he did with distinction at the
Fix this textage of seventeen, he entered the Government ser-
Fix this textvice as clerk in the Survey Department, under the
Fix this textlarge-hearted Sir Thomas Mitchell, who frequently
Fix this textand confidently predicted Mr. Innes’ success.
Fix this textIndications of that success soon followed. In
Fix this textJanuary, 1852, he was promoted to the office of
Fix this textC.P.S. and Gold Commissioner's Secretary ai
Fix this textSofala, which offices he held for three years—re-
Fix this texttiring in order to read for the Bar, having been
Fix this textfortunate enough to become the associate of Sir
Fix this textAlfred Stephen, C. J. In January, 1856, he went to
Fix this textEngland to regularly study his future profession.
Fix this textHe read in the chambers of a special pleader,
Fix this textequity draughtsman and conveyancer, and in
Fix this textTrinity Term, 1859, ho obtained, in competitive
Fix this textexamination, the first certificate of honour, and
Fix this textin Michaelmas Term of the same year was called
Fix this textto the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn. He next devoted a
Fix this textfew years to study and travel, and ultimately re-
Fix this textturned, in February, 1863, to Sydney, where, from
Fix this textthe first day of his arrival, he secured a good
Fix this textpractice. He entered the political arena in 1864,
Fix this textby contesting the representation of Mudgee with
Fix this textMr. Terry ; and, although unsuccessful, he polled
Fix this textwithin sixty votes of that well-known and popular
Fix this textcandidate —a gentleman who had previously repre-
Fix this textsented the electorate. In November, 1865, Mr.
Fix this textInnes was offered, and accepted, the Judgeship of
Fix this textthe Northern District Court of Queensland,
Fix this textwhich appointment he held with credit to himself
Fix this textfor the benefit of the colony till July 1869, when
Fix this texthe resigned and returned to practice at the Bar
Fix this textof New South Wales. On leaving Queensland, he
Fix this textwas the recipient of very complimentary addresses
Fix this textas to his ability, integrity, and affability in the
Fix this textdischarge of his judicial duties, and from the then
Fix this textAttorney-General (now Chief Justice) of that
Fix this textcolony, he received assurances of speedy pro-
Fix this textmotion to the Supreme Court Bench of Queensland
Fix this textif he cared to make that colony his home. A
Fix this textbrilliant Parliamentary career soon opened before
Fix this textTHE HON. SIR J. G. LONG INNES, K.C.M.G., MINISTER OF JUSTICE.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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(1880). The bulletin Retrieved August 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127626657
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 19 August 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127626657>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 19 August 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127626657
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 4 No. 41 (6 Nov 1880)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-127626657
| id=nla.obj-127626657
| access-date=19 August 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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