Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/415

 1899.] New South Wales. [407

The revenue for the year ending June 30 was 9,754,685Z., showing an increase over the last year of 272,098Z.

The Parliament was opened for the ordinary session on July 18. During the recess considerable changes were made in the arrangement of the Ministerial offices, consequent on the resignation of the Attorney-General.

Mr. Carruthers, the Treasurer, made his Budget speech on August 16, announcing a surplus of 147,7001., and declaring that the tariff would remain unaltered.

On September 7, Mr. Barton having resigned the position of Opposition leader in favour of Mr. Lyne, the latter moved a vote of want of confidence in the Ministry — the ostensible ground for which was a payment, in defiance of a parliamentary pledge, made to Mr. Nields, a member of the Assembly, who had been sent on a special mission to England. The Labour party, which had hitherto been Mr. Beid's chief support, having deserted him, the vote against the Ministry was carried by 75 to 41. Ministers resigned two days after — the Governor having refused a dissolution — after a reign of five years.

Mr. Lyne being sent for, a new Ministry was formed, with himself as Premier and Treasurer ; Mr. J. Lee, Colonial Secre- tary ; Mr. W. H. Wood, Minister of Justice ; Mr. J. Perry, Public Instruction ; Mr. W. P. Crick, Postmaster -General ; Mr. E. W. O'Sullivan, Public Works ; Mr. T. H. Hassall, Lands ; Mr. J. L. Fegan, Mines ; Mr. B. E. Wise, Attorney- General; and Mr. J. A. K. Mackay, Vice-President of Council.

All the new Ministers were re-elected on taking office. Mr. Lyne, in a speech made on September 20, said he was now prepared to accept the Commonwealth Bill. His Ministry was believed to be strongly Protectionist; though Mr. Wise, the Attorney - General, is known to be an advanced Free Trader — Mr. Lyne giving a pledge that no great changes will be made in the fiscal policy of the Government, pending the arrival of the new federal Constitution.

Mr. Lyne, as Treasurer, in his financial scheme, announced considerable divergence of figures between him and his prede- cessor — the difference between them amounting to 1,400,000/. He proposed the issue of Treasury Bills to the extent of 4,000,000Z., and increased stamp duties.

The departure of the New South Wales contingent, in aid of the British forces in South Africa, took place on October 25, amidst a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm.

General Booth, of the Salvation Army, arrived at Sydney on April 11, and met with a cordial reception.

Considerable ferment was aroused among the French residents of Sydney by a phrase in a speech delivered by Lord Beauchamp, the Governor, in a reference to the Dreyfus affair, which was declared to be a " hideous travesty of justice." This the Frenchmen protested against, declaring it to be not