The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 741, 30 June 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1876.

Beneath the rule of men entirely just the pen is mightier than the sword.

It is rather unhandsome on the part of the Assembly to refuse payment of Sir Julius Vogel’s little bill for his expenses in England. Supposing that his trip did cost L6OOO, what was that for twelve months, when we take into consideration the position of the Premier, who was in reality the Ambassador of New Zealand, and which position he was bound to fill with becoming dignity. Sir Julius’s trip was by no means one of pleasure, the duties of his mission were of a very onerous nature, requiring more than ordinary skill and judgment, and we have grave doubts it another man in the Colony could have accomplished what he did. It was not such an easy thing as many people would imagine to borrow four millions of money even upon the sececurity of a wealthy British Colony, not that capitalists would refuse the cash because they deemed the investment a risky one, they could scarcely doutb the ultimate repayment of the principal, still it nevertheless must have required an immense deal of tact and judgment to convince them that the interest would be promptly paid, and Sir Julius Vogel did this—he plainly showed that the money was required for reproductive works, the profit upon which would be sufficient to meet the demands of the bondholder, let alone that the effects of the expenditure itself would make the principal more secure, as it would largely assist to develop the natural resources of the country. Sir Julius procured the money, and upon most advantageous terms; in fact, he made a capital bargain and lost no time upon it either, but because he did his work quickly and well, a section of the House demurs to the payment of his expenses Taking the matter in a business point of view the result was cheap at the expenditure, and there is no cause whatever to grumble. Sir Julius, having accomplished so much, did not stop at this, and ever alert in the interests of the Colony he secured us many other advantages. Inscribing our stock was a great achievement, and it will effect a very considerable saving, wh’le it places our securities upon a first-class footing —where Sir Julius obtained the idea from does not detract anything from its merit. It is very clear that none of our Australian neighbors had ever thought anything at all about it, but when once they became aware of what had been done, they all unanimously desired to be placed upon the same footing. Taking for instance Sir Julius’s ideas of a Telegraphic Conference, and how every body has embraced it, docs it not show that the Premier possesses a very superior mind, while at the same time

does it not confer honor upon New Zealand when the Chief of her Government is able to lead the way in other Colonies. The cost of Sir J. Vogel’s trip to] England, even if he did recruit his energies by a short sojourn at the Baths at Baden Baden, was no more a relaxation than ho was entitled to, and any other Minister would have deserved the same. The LCOOO was well expended, and if there is no more extravagance than this, the Colony will have nothing to regret. It is to be hoped that the House will not waste any more time in cavilling about this really small payment, Members should bear in mind the old adage of “ straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel."