THE ERA OF EXTRAVAGANCE 257 



Prior to the advent of the Gillies-Deakin Ministry, the annals 

 of Victoria had to a large extent revolved round the doings of its 

 Parliament. With the growth of population, which in March, 1886, 

 reached the million, with increasing wealth and extended com- 

 merce, new factors of public interest asserted themselves, and the 

 Parliament of the day, which was not strong in the initiative, 

 began to be looked upon as a committee of delegates to carry out 

 the wishes of the people. And the people, largely represented by 

 prosperous labour organisations, were led to believe that at last 

 they were entering into possession of that stage of well-being which 

 they had been taught to expect as the sure result of managing their 

 own affairs. Certainly appearances seemed to justify the general 

 conclusion that a great future lay before this land of promise. 

 When the Governor opened Parliament on the 1st of June, 1886, he 

 had nothing but congratulations to offer. He rejoiced in the estab- 

 lishment of the Federal Council, and expressed a hope that before 

 long the other Colonies would feel the influence of the national 

 sentiment and join. The Defence Forces were said to be admirably 

 organised, and the permanent defence works were being rapidly 

 made effective. The extension of railways was progressing satis- 

 factorily. Six months later, when he prorogued Parliament, he 

 was not less optimistic, and wound up his speech by saying : "It 

 will be a satisfaction to you to carry away to your homes the 

 reflection that the country for whose laws and administration you 

 have been caring, is in a state of great prosperity, with a steadily 

 increasing income, with every prospect of an abundant harvest, 

 and with indications that the mining industry, effectively pro- 

 moted by you, is about to have a substantial revival ". The 

 anticipations indicated in the last clause were not fulfilled. There 

 were influences at work which concentrated labour in the city, 

 in tramway construction, wharves, docks and shipping, and on 

 the numerous suburban and country railways being urgently 

 pressed on with. Some of this labour was undoubtedly with- 

 drawn from mining, for the diminishing returns which were 

 apparent in 1885 continued on the down grade for nearly ten years. 

 There was no improvement in production until 1895, when the 

 financial troubles, recently experienced, had driven men out of the 



VOL. H. 17 



