tire; and already what is termed a bold progressive policy has been forced upon the Victorian Government. A loan of two and a half millions has been authorised, one million of which is for expenditure in railway construction and other public works, and the remainder for the conversion of a loan of one and a half millions, falling due in 1899. Sir George Turner is of a retiring disposition, hating all the public appearances necessary in connection with his position. He is a very hard worker, a great master of detail, and a plain, straightforward, lucid speaker, making no pretentions to the name of orator. In politics, like Mr Reid, the late Sir Henry Parkes, or, for that matter, most successful Australian Premiers, he may be termed an opportunist, having no definite or far-reaching views, but being quick to discern and follow the movements of public opinion. Many of his friends have stated that, if he followed his own judgment, he would not advocate a return to a free expenditure upon public works; and, indeed, most of his past utterances belie his present action. But if he had not proposed such a policy, some one else would have done so; and he bows to the public will. When I ventured to remark to a Victorian politician that possibly it would have been more honest had the Government had the courage of their opinions, I was told, and I am bound to admit, with some justification, that people who lived in glass houses should not throw stones. It seems likely, in view of the eclipse of Mr Reid, that Sir George Turner will be the first Premier of the Commonwealth.
In Victoria the policy of Protection has been carried to as great an extreme as it has reached in any part of the world. Sir Graham Berry, formerly Premier for several years, more recently Agent-General in England, and afterwards Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, built his
