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6
AUSTRALIAN VIEWS
[Let.

There is some talk of a Reform agitation among the Yorkshire and Lancashire politicians, and consultation meetings have been held in Manchester and Leeds, with the sanction, it is said, of several influential names, though the most important person that has appeared in person is Mr. George Wilson, the well-known chairman of the Anti-Corn Law League. The Manchester Guardian denounces any attempt to disturb the public mind by agitating for further reforms in the constitution, and harps away on the thorough failure of democratic institutions in Victoria and New South Wales: and yet the Manchester Guardian is a great Liberal journal. Since the appearance of the two fierce articles in the Times, I notice that every provincial journalist has his fling at parliamentary government in Australia. Will no one stand up to vindicate the character of the colonies?

The enemies of John Bright have been gratified within the last few days by the announcement that his carpet-weavers were out on strike at Rochdale, and that the firm were seeking to reduce wages below the rates paid in other establishments. But this has been authoritatively and flatly contradicted, and it is stated that no strike at all has