The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATATED The Evening News and the Morning News. MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1660, 14 June 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1875.

Jer Hit cause that lacks assistance, For the wrorif that needs resistance, far the fature in the distance,' Ami thegeod that we cam U.

Sir Julius Vogel, Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George, has at last received the guerdon of honor. There are few we think in New Zealand who will grudge the distinction to one who is assuredly at present the foremost man of New Zealand. Many a man without one tenth of the individuality and force of character has been singled oat from the herd and invested with the stamp of distinction, and however bitterly many may regret the effects of a career that has won this distinction,. there can hardly be one in New Zealand who will not admit that without the decoration, Mr Vogel stands head and shoulders above the great mass of his fellow colonists and that in this case, as in many another, the rank is but the guinea stamp "the man's a man for a' that." That Sir Julius may long live to honorably wear the decoration will also be the cordial wish of every colonist—who can lift his mind over the bitterness and resentment "of political difference, and recognise ability whereever found. But while these are our feelings, we cannot but think that in the present position of Mr Vogel's policy, the decoration is untimely. Had it been conferred, a year or two ago, when the /' grand

policy," with which alone Lis name is associated as a leading colonist wag in the hey-day of seming prosperity and favour, there would have been a fitness in things ; but at the present moment when clouds are gathering around, and men's hearts are failing them for fear, and when tho reckless career on which the colony was launched is coming to a premature and perilous close, we confess there does seem an incongruity in the affair. Far be it from us to say that the honor conferred should be regretted. As a leader of men, Sir Julius has won his spurs, but while a good many are unpleasantly thinking that it has been the leading of a will-o'-the-wisp, and that the latter end of the policy will be disastrous, it seems queer that the conferring of the honor was not delayed until success had crooned the work. At the same time, there is atother way of looking at it. Perhaps when the crash comes, it would be more untimely still. Looked at iv this light, it may seem a case of now or never, aud we can only suppose that the new Knight iv thus seizing the opportunity ha 3 manifested his usual sagacity in not waiting for success to crown the work. In the acceptance of this distinction, we cannot see much assurance of the return of Sir Julius to New Zealand. If it is so, that the House of Rothschild has signified its satisfaction with the negociation of the late loan by any token of favour to Mr Vogel, which by the way would only be after the fashion of ordinary business in such negociations, the newdignity could be better sustained, by the new knight remaining in England and giving the honor of his connection, say to some business firm descended of the ancient race, a course which would be doubtless as much appreciated by that connection as it would be promotive of Sir Julius' future distinction. In the colony the title, if not sustained by resources such as those indicated as possibly supplied by the prince of bankers, would be not merely barren but ruinous, for it would absolutely preclude him when removed from office, from applying himself to the ordinary courses of industry in which colonists must walk, and in which Mr Vogel, without the white elephant of knighthood, would probably be successful. Whereas if he came out with this titular distinction, and at the same time with means calculated to sustain the dignity, colonists would c nasty, and give him no peace about the profitable nature of his recent trip to England. Every thing considered, we fear we have seen the last of the father of the "Great Policy ;" but while sorrowing as we probably shall sorrow for some yea's to ome, over the disastrous embarrassments of the colony, it will perhaps be some consolation if we are able to take reflected glory from the distinctions won by the father of that policy, in the loftier sphere of the British Parliament.