SIR JULIUS VOGEL INTERVIEWED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1436, 22 January 1885, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VOGEL INTERVIEWED.

Auckland, Yesterday. A special Star reporter interviewed Sir Julius Yogol at Waiwera. In reply to a question, the Colonial Treasurer said the article that appeared recently in one of the Auckland papers and was telegraphed through the colony, purporting to give a complete and circumstantial history of the Cabinet meetings that had bean held respecting the annexation question-, together with copies of cablegrams supposed to have passed between L >rd Derby and the Colonial Government, was untruthful and unofficial. He suggested the probability of some one having hoaxed the paper in question. The time had not yet arrived for the despatch that had passed to be published. It was quite an error to suppose that Government had purposed sending the Hinemoa to Samoa for the purpose of annexing the islands. Her mission was merely to investigate the situation, that action being taken on the strength of the petition sent by the King to the Governor. The reporter asked if there was any intention of also making inquiries respecting some Guano islands. Sir Julias said that Mr Firth, of Auckland, suggested that Government should annex the adjacent Guano Islands, but so far as he could learn, there were no islands of that description unannexed. The interview proceeded as follows; Reporter—Do you anticipa’e that anything will result from the recent action of the New Zealand Government with respect to these islands ? Sir Julius—lt has forced the matter upon the English Government, and they are going to give it consideration. Reporter—What direction will their action probably take 1 Sir Julius—That I can’t tell you, as the English Government does not take the colonies into its confidence, and henoe the awkward position in which the colonies are placed. It has baen a perpetual struggle to ascertain the facts. The conversation then drifted towards Lord Derby’s action regarding the annexation of New Guinea, Sir Julius remarking that Germany’s defence of its annexation of a portion of New Guinea might be that England had taken what she wanted, and how could she object to Germany taking what was left. She could not play dog in-the-manger. Sir Julius personally attaches more importance to the commercial than to the political aspect of tho question. The flag will follow the trade. Last session the House threw out our Bill dealing with the South Sea Islands trade, the greatest opposition to the measure coming from Auckland Tht. was most suicidal. At present the trade between Sydney and the islands much exceed ours, though the physical conditions favour New Zealand. Had that company been formed probably German interests would have bean glad to have made New Zealand the centre of action. There is no true disposition on the part of Germany to colonise. Sir Julius really believed the Islands candidly t> desire a s f able Government under which they may carry on business operations. It had been stated in the newspapers, and there is no reason for questioning it, that the Germans have recognised the native Government as a stable Government by making treaties with it. Sir Julius Vogel was then asked his opinion respecting the action of the Home Government concerning New Guinea, and he replied that the Australian groups being willing to guarantee the cost of annexation there was no reason why the British Government should hare hesitated in the matter. The North island trank line of railway was then touched on, Sir Julius remarking that the Government hoped to be in a position to call for tenders for first contracts next month. The work would proneed from three points, S.E. Te Awamutu, Martoh, gome interior point.

The matter of the finances of the colony having been introduced,. Sir Julius Vogel mentioned a fact which is perfectly new, and is another evidence of the reputation enjoyed by the colony in the London money ra irket. A large quantity of scrip, about half a million pounds worth, remained in the Bank under pledge that it would not be placed until after the floating of the third million 'oan. Nearly all has been successfully placed during the past few days, viz., since this floating of the loan.