lu 1400, 64,207 persons were employed in factories, of whom 18,413 were telltales. The industries employing the most persons were clothing and textile fabrics; metal work, machin ery, ere.; preparations of food and drink, such as dairy products, wine, etc. There were 107 factories employing over 100 hands cavil.
In 1900, 2101 vessels entered Victorian ports. with an aggregate of 2,929,389 tons. Of the total, 2,827,949 entered the port of Alelbourne. About half of the total tonnage was British. Victoria ranks next to New South Wales in the amount of its foreign trade. Ordinarily the imports and exports are about equal in value; in 1900 the former amounted to II8,301.607 and tare latter to £17,422,552. In both the trade with the United Kingdom is largest, followed closely by the trade with other Australian States. In the relatively small trade with foreign countries France has the largest share. The most valuable items of export are gold, wool, butter, and wheat.
All the railroads belong to the State. The management of the system is in charge of a commissioner. A special committee from both
Houses of Parliament considers all proposals for new lines and reports to Parliament. There were 3221 miles open in 1900. The system connects with both the New South Wales and• the South Australia lines. The gross earnings for 1901 were £3,337,797 and the working expenses £1, 984,796. The net earnings are less than the interest on the borrowed capital invested.
The Governor receives his appointment from the British Crown. The Parliament consists of a Legislative Council of 48 members. elected for six years, and a Legislative Assembly of 95 members,. elected for three years. A voter for members of the Council must satisfy a property qualification, but this does not apply to certain classes, chiefly professional. No property quali fication is required of those voting for members of the Assembly. Clergymen are not allowed to hold seats in either branch of Parliament. Vic toria sends 23 members to the Federal House of Representatives. Melbourne is the capital. Fora discussion of the State's activities, see