MR. VOGEL AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2399, 9 December 1870, Page 2

MR. VOGEL AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Although no formal requisition was presented to the Hon. .Indus Vogel, Colonial Treasurer, to address a mooting of the citizens, in compliance with the wishes of a number of gentlemen, ho consented to do so; and it was advertised in the morning and evening journals that the mooting would bo hchi in the Princess Theatre, at half-past live o’clock yesterday. At the time appointed cv-'ry part of the building was filled. Wo should judge that at least 150rt people were present. It was quite evident, before any effort was made to commence the proceedings, that there was an organisation to prevent the Treasurer being heard. Persons were airing their vulgar jokes iu different parts of the house ; but, on the whole, the meeting was good-humored and orderly until his Worship the Mayor came forward to take the chair. He was accompanied and surrounded by many of the leading citizens of Dunedin, by several members of the Provincial Council and members of the City Council. Scarcely, however, had ho stopped in front before Mr J G. S. Grant rose and imperatively demanded to know who had called tnc meeting? His rising was the signal for one of the most disgraceful exhibitions that has ever been witnessed at any public meeting. The majority of those present, disgusted, tried to iiiss him down. A few who seemed to look upon him as their fugleman, applauded, but be tried in vain to make himself hoard. This noisy war continued for some time. The Mayor tried to get a hearing, which was for some time persistently refused. He tried to get a hearing for. Mr Grant, but was equally unsuccessful. Mr Mason, Mr Birch, and Mr Beeves stepped forward to try to calm the tempest, but without avail. They were obliged to rot’ro. At length there was a lull when —

His Worship the Mayor said that ho believed there was some idea that it was intended to throw some indignity upon the office he had the honor to hold by inviting some other person to act as Chairman at that meeting. In the course of the afternoon, however, Mr Yogel had disclaimed to him any such intention, and had expressed 8 his desire that he should preside at the meeting, as the representative of the City, and he felt most happy in doing so. The Mayor turned to introduce Mr Vogel, s and immediately from different parts of the - Theatre there were cries for Mr Grant. Mr Grant then rose, and refused to sit down when requested by the Chairman. Continning to rerist all the requests which i were made to him by different gentlemen to bow to the decision of the Chair. ~ by request of the Mayor, one of the 1 police stepped forward and removed him j from the stage. This was the signal for a chorus of groans and howls such \ as perhaps never was heard before in Dunj! edin. It was impossible to proceed wbb the work of the evening, so Mr Grant, white ’ with rage, was allowed to come forward I again, but beyond a few frantic gesture! he I was not permitted tomakeany demonstration, y and after shrieking that if he was not al- ’ lowed to speak, the meeting should refuse “ to hear Mr Vogel, he was by some mean (. that we did not observe, removed off the platform. However, he contrived to make his prer seuce known by a scries of outbursts at a dis- , tance, loud enough to signify that he was will - ' ing to interrupt, but too feeble to act as a watchword to his ill-mannered colleagues. After several efforts and most extraordinary patience on the part of the Treasurer, the excitement subsided and a hearing was obtained.

Mr Voceu when comparative quiet h;u been secured, spoke to the following effect —1 am sorry that Mr Grant should havi been interfered with. I can assure you thal I have been no party to preventing his speak ing, hut on the contrary f urged that he should ho heard although I could not bid recollect that the meeting was convened tc hear me and not Mr Grant. —(Cries of “ Whc called the meeting?”) Jt appears tc me that some of you dread to hem what I have to say; and I don’i know that those who arc my oppo nents could pay me a higher complimcul than that of being too much frightened at what f have to say, to allow of their fairly listening to me. (No, no.) It is a singulai thing that those who do not want to hear me should have come here at all: unless, indeed, they came with the purpose of disturbing the meeting —(lnterruption, and “Who called the meeting ?”) If you desire to hear Mr Grant, why say so, and I will retire. —(Loud cries of “No, no,’ - aud “Go on.”) M} r object in coming here was to give such explanations as I am able to give w’ith regard to certain measures passed by the Assembly last session ; and in which you are all of you much more closely and deeply interested than some of yon have been led to believe.—(A Voice : But who called the meeting?— Confusion.) I came to this meeting because f believed that there were very many people in Dun edin who desired to here explanations as to the Government Colonising policy ; that the theatre is so crowded, is an endorsement of the correctness of my belief ; and that fact cannot be affected by the other fact that a few noisy opponents can succeed in effectually disturbing a nircting.—(lnterruption.) I came dowm hero on public business, one of many objects being )o sec his Honor the Superintendent. As soon as I arrived at Tort Chalmers, I was requested by a number of gentlemen—personal friends of my own, and others—tq address a public meeting, aud I consented to do so. If I am prevented doing so by a few persons, I cannot help it; the fact that there is a most crowded meeting cannot bo got over at all events. —(Mr Ehekwi.v, junr. : But what do you want hero ? Who asked you to address this meeting ?—Cries of “.Shut up, Sherwin !” aud a good deal of confusion.) I say again that I was asked by a number of gentlemen.—(Cries of “Name,” “Give ns their names,” &e.) Ro, I will not. 1 will not you a single name.—(Applause, and anno hisses.) There can he no pretence :hat the meeting has been packed-9-not in ny favor, at least; there is a crowded atjcndanuc, although no placards have been put nit; and as it cannot be denied that those who ndiuarily attend public meetings here are

now. present, I think it cannot be of importance by whom the meeting was called. — (Interruption.) I know there are a number of local Jealousies here ; but I am not mixed up with any section of them ; and as this is in the fullest acceptation of the term, a “public meeting,” I really do not understand why I should he made to sudor because of those local jealousies, .N T o'.v, if you wish rue to go into the questions to address you upon which 1 came here, I am ready to do so.— (A VuicK : Hut we don’t. — Confusion.) Why will you not listen to me, even supposing some of yon do not agree with me. Is it that you have been urged not to listen tome, by those who fear that if I am heard I shall say that which will upset some of their favorite delusions—that I shall really inllucnee those who listen, and so diminish the supporters of those who have chosen to become opjxmcnts of the Government policy? You who are so pertinaciously interrupting me have many opportunities of listening to your favorite local speakers. lam sorry to say that L am now a comparative stranger in Dunedin ; but I have done foi; Otago things that will live and he constantly productive of benefit—things which have been, and will bo, beneficial to the progress of the Province, iu the truest sense of that phrase. (Applause, and interruption.) I have come down here at considerable inconvenience, because I desire still further to do good to Otago ; and I say that my public acts here, during a good many years, will bear comparison with those of any of my opponents.—(lnterruption.) I believe that those who arc causing all the noise arc not one-tenth of those present. Those who come to listen, and then to approve or condemn, as a result of calm Judgment, do not care to make themselves hoarse by bawling; and so the voices of the noisy few produce .a seemingly groat effect.—(lnterruption.) dies ; you may prevent my being heard this evening ; but you cannot prevent what I have done for Otago continuing to exist to the great benefit of the Province. 1 am prepared to explain the measures of the Government, and to destroy (I am sure) the false impression as to those measures which has evidently been created. You are very ungrateful, some of you : but again I ask you, “ Why are you afraid to let me speak?” Every man, woman, and child iu the Province is interested iu some of the matters which I desire to bring before the meeting such, especially, as the Californian Mail Service, which is of the greatest possible importance to Otago. Let mo explain why, very unexpectedly to myself, I came down from Wellington. The Government were informed by telegram of the very extraordinary resolution adopted by the Provincial Council—(hear, bear) that advantage should not be taken of the measures passed by the Assembly Inst session, so as to secure a commencement of public works in Otago. The Government believe—and surely the people of Otago must believe—that such works are urgently needed here j and therefore it was determined that a member of the Government should come down, with a view of ascertaining whether it was not possible to make a communication to the Provincial Executive, so as to remove the misapprehensions that appear to have arisen. In brief, the main object of my visit was to endeavor to secure that effect should be given in Otago, to the Public Works measures which, ip every Other part of the Colony, have been most eagerly welcomed. Any one who supposes that there is not, throughout New Zealand, an eager desire to take advantage of the Government measures, is simply ignorant of what has taken, and is taking place. On arriving here, I found that the Superintendent was most anxious that large effect should bo given within the Province to those measures; but I found that the majority of the Provincial Council had come to an opposite conclusion. It is not for me to complain of that conclusion ; but I believe that the Government are entitled to ask that the cir-

- cumstanccs on either side should he fairly i made known to the public of the Province; because you must bear in mind that any de- ' cision now come to, although it must be im--5 port ant, may be but of a temporary nature, ■ In a very few months, under any circumstances, you must have a general election 1 for the Provincial Council.—(lnterruption.) : Believe me, these questions arc of more im- ; portauce that some of you seem to suppose, ■ judging from the manner in which you are • behaving.- (Interruption.) I was determined that I would not be howled down by - a few persons at the outset of the meeting ; 1 but if lam not to be listened to with somei thing like attention, lam not inclined to at--1 tempt to go on, and so to waste your time and my own, I have had to speak so loudly ■ that lam almost hoarse; and if those who have so far disturbed the meeting arc deter- - milled to continue their noise, I ask them to let me know the fact: but I caution them that their fell >w-citizens generally will lie able fully to appreciate their motives. Let me tell those of you who are making such a noise (A Voice ;“I rise to a point of order. I must say, 1 think Air Vogel should not be personal.) 1 have no desire to hurt the feelings of any one; hut lam convinced that a very small number of those present have come here determined to prevent my being heard by the great majority, who desire to hear me, and I feel that, under the circumstances, I have shown great consideration and patience. I came to the meeting under the impression that I should find most of those present in a not good temper ; because I knew that the hour chosen for the meeting was a most inconvenient one. The use o f the theatre could not be obtained for a later hour.; and I feel that there must be something like indignation mi the part of most of you, because, however unwillingly, I am the means of keeping you from dinner or from tea. I have here voluminous notes, from which I had intended' to speak ; hut I shall have to condense greatly what I do say, because possession of the theatre must he given up, at the latest, at half-past seven o’clock. Amongst the things as to which 1 desire to give explanations, arc tiic charges which have been made against the Gqverujneut in the columns'of the Daily Tnyc* newspaper in reference to the alleged violation pf the integrity"of the Telegraph b/llco.—(Hear, hear.) lam glad to find that some of those who were at first not inclined to listen new cry “Hear, hear”—that is to say, they regard it as reasonable that I should be allowed to give an explanation as to those charges. 1 ask you to forget now all that has passed at this meeting, and to listen to what I am sure all will admit to be a reasonable explana.ion All the charges that have been made against the Government with regard to this telegraph question are quite—l can 1 scarcely venture to use a sufficiently strong M expression—preposterous every way. idea that any Government would desire violate the integrity of the Telegraph ns has been alleged, is in itself

extravagant, that I can hardly understand how such a charge could have found favor for a moment except amongst those who are entirely ignorant of, and yet are entirely oppose ! to the Government. I give here a most unqualified denial of tho whole of the charges ; I deny absolutely that tho Government has in any way, shape or form purloined messages belonging to any one journal, and given them to any other, or that the Government have in any way been parties to allowing messages—which have been handed in for delivery to one newspaper —to he used by anotheJ. Ihe explanation of all these charges is really i very simple. It has been alleged that it is impossible that the Wellington Independent could have obtained certain intelligence that was sent to the Daily Timex from the A rgyx office. Melbourne, being contained in a third edition of that paper. The fact is simply this : that the purser of the vessel which bmught'the mail, and who had charge of the message for the Imlependent, called at the Argn* office before leaving Melbourne, and being personally acquainted with a gentleiuan connected with the Argux, he received information from that gentleman, which information he furnished at Southland to the telegraph operator to be telegraphed to the Indr pendent newspaper. There comes, however, the question, seeing that the next morning after the publication of extras a certain passage was contained in the news as published jjhy the Independent, which appeared in the Daily Timex published here in Dunedin, and which also appeared in the Evening St nr.— (lnterruption.) Mr Joh.v Barnes came forward, and there was a great deal of confusion. So far as could he heard Mr Barnes declared—- “ It’s no good your making a row, 1 will stand hero till the time is up “ I shan’t sit down, I don’t care for you nor for Mr Vogel neither.” A person upon the platform spoke to Mr Barnes, and was answered, “ I’ll tell you what: if you dare touch me, I’ll pitch you right over there,” pointing into the pit Yi’hc interruption was continued, and Mr Barnes next declared, “ I know very well there is opposition parties here in the home before me as well as on the stage, but I tell you I shall stand here against time the same as Mr Vogel has been standing here talking against time.”—(Laughter.) Mr Vo„;el endeavored to obtain a hearing, but Mr Barnes exclaimed, “ I don’t care ; yon may as well talk to that there table as talk to me. I won’t sit down.” Mr Vogel once more tried to explain to Mr Barnes, who replied, “I don’t care ; I didn’t come hereto listen about them there telegraphs. I won’t to hear about public works and immigration, and if he gees on with it again, I’ll interrupt him the same as I have already.” After a deal of confusion, and cries from different parts of the house, Mr Barnes resumed his seat. Mr Vogel : I have already endeavored to explain to the meeting that tho measures proposed by the Government to the Assembly last session, were proposed under the impression that the state of tho Colony, from one end to the other, was such as to require imperatively that there should he a resumption of public works in New Zealand—that it was not possible, without some great effort was made by the Assembly, that tho the condition of the country, which all regretted, could he fairly met. I take leave to say that the measures wc propose, all which were passed by the Assembly, were calculated, as 1 am sure they had the object, to give now life ami prosperity to tho country. Tho Government had snob confidence in the necessity for those measures, and in those measures themselves, that they (lid not in any way mince matters, nor ask for a seleut committee to make enquiries and to report, but the Government came boldly down with a definite policy, and laid it before the Assembly. Indeed, in order that there might be no possibility of mistake as to what was intended, the Government embodied their policy in a series cf Bills dealing with every detail. It was at first not supposed that'wc should be able to give effect to that policy diving last session, seeing that it was the final session of the ’Assembly ; hut that, before our policy could have effect given to it, it would be necessary to appeal to the country. But almost immediately, and from one end of the country to the other, there arose a cry, which was responded to in the House, that there was no time whatever to he lost; that tho state of tho country demanded the most careful attention ; and that our policy should have effect given to it at once. It was urged that those who had been spending their years in hard industry in this Colony should not bo allowed to he ruined ; that numbers of men already settled here should not continue in a state in which it was impossible for them to find employment, and should therefore bo driven out of the Colony. Wc tested the opinion of the House fairly, and the reply of the House showed without hesitation an overwhelming jpjajnrity in favor of at once giving effect to our colonising policy. Whatever you may have heard to tha contrary as to the way in which those measures ■were received in the House, I can assure you that there were very few members of tha House who thought themselves entitled to declare that it was desirable that giving ' effect to those measures should be postponed. —(lnterruption.) I do not know whether you wish mo to go on with my explanation as to the Government measures, and as to what was done respecting them.—(Cries of “No,” “Yes,” ami loud applause.) Tho measures of the Government, briefly stated, comprised provisions for carrying on systematic immigration ; hut under circumstances which denoted as plainly as possible what wc recognised, that nothing could he more cruel than to bring immigrants into the country before they were able to find employment here. Do not suppose for a moment that the Government, or the House, were so cruel as to desire simply to set immigrants down upon the shores of New Zealand without remembering that it was absolutely necessary those immigrants should he able to fjjul tho means of living ; or without recognising that those already settled in the Colony possessed prior claims over those whom it was proposed to introduce. We desired to see the country truly settled, and we proposed to tho House what we believed to he a true policy of settlement, You have been told here by one of your newspapers that our policy is not a fair one as between the North and South, —(Cries of “What about tho land?” and Homo confusion.) Hold what opinions you please as to the land question, hut I hog of you, do not obtrude them on all occasions. Believe mo, if you will allow me, I will come to tho laud question before I have done. Do you not want to seu public works carried on in this Province ? —• ( Yes, yes, and No ) Do you not wish to seo immigration carried on? —(No, no, and confusion.) I have to tell you that news which has just been received from Home is of tho

most satisfactory character, and such as convinces the Government that we shall bo able to c :rry out our colonising measures. You no doubt saw an extract puhlishrd in the Daily Timex from the Home New* which was written in all probability in the Colony, and was meant to damage the success of our measures, bit that does not represent the opinion of Enrland. The leading paper in Europe has com mented recently on New Zealand affairs, aim upon the policy which we have proposed to the country, and that paper has pronounced that nothing could be more satisfactory than the present state of affairs here.—(Applause and some confusion.) The London Timex in a recent number that explained the policy of the Government says “ It is impossible, in short, to conceive a more satisfactoiy report of affairs than that now before us, and if, as wc are assured, nothing beyond the maintenance of peace is needed to convert all these anticipations into realities, the end ought not to he doubtful.” (A Voice : “Ah ! who wrote that?” Another Voice; “Who? why Vogel wrote that.” Loud laughter.) I am really sorry to see that sonic of you arc disposed to show such little interest in questions that affect yon so very largely ; depend upon it, though there are times for fun and times for laughter, there are times also to lie serious, and this is one of them. The subjects upon which I am speaking to yon a-c, depend upon it, of .sufficient importance to you and every one in this Colony to deserve to be seriously treated, whothcrornofc yon agree with the Government as to their policy. I repeat then that the advices I have recently received from England, leave no doubt whatever in our minds, that the hope expressed by those who arc opposed to the Government policy, that the money market of England would he closed against us, is wholly without foundation. We have received inlonnation that convinces ns that wc shall have no difficulty in getting our railways constructed upon guarantees, or in raising such an amount on loan as v e need, upon a low rate of interest. The first intelligence of the disastrous war in Europe did lead us to believe that we should have to suspend giving effect to our measures for some time. But now, as I have said, we have reason to believe that wo shall he able to carry out those measures without delay. The Government were under the impression that such intelligence would he hailed from one end of the country to the other as a signal for commencing to give effect to our Immigration and Public Works policy ; and it is with the utmost amazement that I have found something like a determination on the part of some public men, to set their faces against those measures in a province, which of .all others in New Zealand, has a necessity for them. I do not believe that such is the opinion of the people of the Province, but a majority of those who arc supposed to represent the Province in the Provincial Council have expressed themselves as against proceeding at once with public works. I came here with a view to endeavoring to make an arrangement with the Provincial Gove mucut for at once entering into a contract for the construction of the Southern Trank Railway (“Oh! oh!” applause, and confudon.) I have stated to the Superintendent that the Government were fully prepared at once to cuter into such a contract But although the Superintendent believes that the time for commencing that work has fully arrived, the majority of the Provincial Council and the Executive, as you know, have come to a. that before advantage should he taken of the Government measures of last session there should be an appeal to the constituencies. The Government on receiving intel igencc of that resolution came to the conclusion that seeing that in the natural course of thines, there must he a new Provincial Council elected within three or four months, it would he well to accede to the wish that there should be an appeal to the constituencies. I am not betraying any ’secret when I add that the Superintendent has this evening placed in my hands his own resignation and his request for an immediate flissolution of tho Provincial Council— (applause)—and before 1 left Wellington, it was decided that so reasonable a request, if made, should he complied with. 1 have no doubt, therefore, that you will very soon —almost immediately I may say have opportunity through the constituencies of expressing your opinions upon these very large (pies'ions. I tell you that any fears which exist here that the Government measures will he unfair to this Province, because of being too largely beneficial to the North Island, arise out of misapprehension. It is rpiitc true that it is no part of the policy adopted last session to provide for defence expenditure by loan ; hut do not deceive yourselves upon that point. No possible alteration that can lie made in the constitution of the country, no possih e form of separation, can prevent or avoid a charge for defence of the North Island being made a colonial charge. I am one of. those who have fought this battle of separation Jong ago. I never went in for what is called tho “ Self-reliant Policy. ” 1 always insisted that although it may he thought magnanimous, it was really foolish to say to the Imperial Government, “Wc release you from all your liabilities for the defence of the Colony,” from which only the Colony could relievo that government. The Imperial Government had solemnly undertaken the defence of the Colony, and I look upon it as simply quixotic for the Colony to relieve tl at Government from its undertaking. I am not inclined to deny that wc may he, and are to some extent approaching the end which has received some favor in this Province—namely, the consolidation of the several Provinces ;■ so that in each Island there may be but a single Province. That is in effect the policy which was proposed by your member in the Assembly (Mr W. H. Reynolds) during the last session. But I must remind you, that years ago I proposed in the Provincial Council a series of resolutions declaring that it was desirable that there should he separation, and that in order to lead up to separation there should ho a consolidation into one Province of eacii Island. Had those resolutions been carried out when they were proposed, 1 believe the Colony would now have been in a very different position. The union of Otago and Southland is a step in that direction, and I stated last year that I bo recognised it ; hut I say to you that the Public Works policy does not interfere with the matter one way or the other. I believe that when tho iron horse runs from one Province to another, there will he a large inducement for an amalgatiou of tho different Provinces ; so that there may ho reduced cost of Provincial Governments. Our policy, or any real policy of public works, will tend in the same direction of constituting within each Island a single Province. In that view we have before us a model Constitution in that which has been given to the Dominion of Canada, I desire to speak in the most

kindly terms with regard to Mr Reynolds ; for whether or not one agrees with him, it is impossible not to recognise that ho is a most conscientious, honest, and earnest worker for what lie believes to be the public good. But 1 put it to you, as I put it to him last session, that you should not allow any theoretical considerations to interfere with the hard practical interests which are immediately around you. Many of us may have, and will have favorite theories, and may form pot visions of wliat would result if we could carry out our own opinions ; but I for wo will not consent to postpone practical business to an indulgence in such theories or opinions. Wc may cherish them if we please, but wo ought not to do so to the neglect of that which- is practical. Year after year, in one shape and another, proposals have been made in the Assembly for altering the Constitution, or modifying the divisions of the country ; but these proposals have ended generally in nothing but barren debates. "Whatever proposal of the kind nny be made, it is certain to be surrounded with diflicnlties. There are local prejudice! and interests which grow up in the course of years, all which have to bo dealt with vith very great care and caution. Even the uiion of Otago and Southland took some years to effect, for an inclination in tiro dircetioi of union was expressed long ago. Whilst sick an mediation may be in the course of leing matured, are we to refuse to rccommci.d or to neglect the practical requirements of Vue day ? I have been told that the Government measures are not fair ones, because they vRI press hardly upon this Province, which ms such large means of its own. But how sands the case ? The proposals lirsfc made by be Government were declared by the Assembly to be too Provincial. At first it was specihd by the Government that the Supcrintcndc.it of a Province should approve of any railway or railways proposed to be constructed ; put that provision was altered by the Assembly. And I tell yon fairly now, as a cauton, that any alteration that may hereafter t ic made in the Government measures will ncr. lie in the direction to make them more Provimial than they are, but will be in the coutm-y direction. Take the Railways Bill as an example. The hardest battle of the Session wasfought over that Bill. The Government ai first stated that they were not in a positim to propose to the House to construct du-ing this recess more than one railway in North’lsland —namely, that from Aucklanl to the Waikato. Wc stated that we wmilJ proceed with the survey of other railway?,, but that no other could bo immediately undertaken. We stated that the Bill provided that eacli Province should primarily bo responsible for the cost of its own works, but that wc bad no notion as to wliat the other railway in the North Island would cost ; and that we would make a firm stand against including in the lirst schedule of the Bill any other than the Auckland and Waikato railway, so far as the North Island was concerned. But there was a banded opposition to us. It was declared that wc were proposing to act most unfairly to the North Island. It was said that in the Middle Island wc were proposing to construct railways in Marlborough, in Nelson, in Canterbury, and in Otago; and as I have stated, the greatest light of the session was based upon the declaration that tin; Government were showing too much favoritism to the "Middle T.sJantl at the expense of the North Island. Now all you who are really aware of wliat took place in the Assembly' will hear me out in wliat I. have now stated. The representatives of Well ngton and Hawkcs Bay contended earnestly that it was a great advantage to a Province to have a railway or railways included in the lirst schedule. It was stated that, supposing the scheme should not hereafter be fully' earned out, to be so circumstanced would be a very great advantage. And I say to you now, that supposing it to be possible, as some people contend, that there should he a repeal of our colonising measures, it will certainly be a very great advantage to Otago to have gome railway at least constructed under the scheme. It is to me strange -nay, it seems almost ridiculous —that the Province of Otago, which has mil ways includ'd in the lirst schedule of the Bill, should object to being so placed, while representatives of Wellington and Hawkcs Bay com plained bitterly last session that those Provinces ■wore being cruelly used because no railways for them were included in the lirst schedule. Depend upon it the Assembly hereafter will, as a matter of principle, say, “ Wc arc not content that any one Province shall be allowed to stand in the way r of the progress of public works.” The time has passed when it will he possible to convince the Legislature of Now Zealand that it is not advisable for the Colony to undertake public works. But while I am convinced that the Assembly will assent to this as a matter of principle you may also depend upon it that as a matter of practice the Assembly will also say “If the Province of Otago does not desire to have public works, we will certainly not press those works upon the Province.” There will be plenty' of Provinces desiring to have railways ennrtrueted ; and those of you who earnestly believe that public works are not needed in Otago need not fear that the Assembly will force them upon the Province. 1 must ask oven my' opponents to recognise that I am addressing the meeting under the greatest diflicnlties. In addition to having become hoarse, I fear my remarks have he-• conic disconnected; for practically', I bnyc been refused the opportunity of speaking from the notes I had prepared. I feel sure, however, that I have not been tempted to speak disrespectfully’ of the Provincial Government or Council.. I am certain that those who have resolved that immediate ctfcct ought not to be given to our policy believe that they have resolved rightly. One of the ideas that seem to have actuated the' Provincial Executive is, that by making present use of the measures, the Province will be bound to their complete adoption exactly as they stand. That, however, is a very' grout fallacy', if the Provincial Executive refuses to take advantage of the measures, that body deprives itself of the status which would entitle it to recommend amendments on those measures. But those Provinces which do take immediate advantage of the measures, should feel that they' do not dillVr from other measures passed by the Assembly, and which are amended from time to time, as circumstances require. 1 do not for a moment admit that the Immigration and Public Works measures are not open to amendment from time to time. I do not profess to think those measure's perfect and final : on the contrary, I say that the circumstances of different Provinces may require that the Acts should bo amended from time to time But those Provinces only that take immediate advantage of the measures as

they are, will bo entitled—will, indeed, alone he able—to point out what amendments are needed. 1 must say plainly that I think, when the Provincial Council came to the resolution to which I have referred, the mem.tors were not fully aware that the Government were in a position to go on with the measures ; ami 1 com plain that a distinct intimation to that elf rt was not made to the Ccuncil. I think that if the Council had hed before it the question of at once absolutely entering up m works for the supply of water to the goldfields—of commencing railways, and doing those other things for which the measures adopted 1 st session provide—the Council would have paused before coming to the conclusion that, in Otago, there should lie any postponement whatever of the operations of those measures. Just when lam warming to my subject, and when 1 am being patiwinly listened to, I am warned that the time fer giving up possession of the theatre has nearly arrived. I apologise tor shortcomings in what I have said; ami 1 am sure my apology will bo allowed by all who fairly' recognise the ditlieulties with which 1 have had to contend. I very much regret that I have not been permitted to refer at length to the Californian Mail Service question ; but I do trust that you will never allow political feelings to interfere with your recognition of the importance to the Golony of that service, or of the duty imposed upon the people of Otago to encourage it to the utmost. That Bervie-, by bringing New Zealand into intimate relation with the great country, the United States, will make known from one end of the world to the other almost, that the colonists of Now Zealand are a spirited and enterprising people ; and it will make the Golony itself the highway of the trallic between the new world and the old. The Californian Service, as I feel sure it will be, is one for which the people of Otago will have constant reason to he grateful; and I ask them, when the elections conic on, to remember that when the local events of the last fortnight have passed out of memory, the Californian Mail Service, if it is properly considered by the Assembly, will continue to bo greatly advantageous to the Colony. It is to be regretted that any man who undertakes the position of Minister in tin’s Colony renders himself liable to be told by those who have never worked for the Colony that lie works only for the sake of the emolument lie receives. It is very easy for those who scarcely understand the meaning of the terms they use to tell a Minister that he has no public spirit—-no desire to promote the .public good. But for myself, am ' strong in the conviction that I am one of those who do earnestly desire, in such public business as 1 undertake, to do the very best Li the interests of the Colony. It matters vc*j little who arc the men who compose the tovermneut. It is not a seo-e of men on oucsidc or the other that we have to consider, the groat mass of the people themselves, nnd it is in the interests of the great mate.of the people who arc here that we conelmli that the Colony has arrived at such a stager,hat it is the duty of the Colonists to make New Zealand a homo, and a place of prolific employment, for those who are no aide to obtain such employment in the old country. I am sure that youwill recognise that 1 have addressed this nccting under unusual diflicnlties. I have striven, I hope successfully, to keep my t.mper. I could not hut recollect while speakng my long connection with this Province. 1 can see before mo in this meeting hvmdrcdsv.hom 1 have known and whom I have great y esteemed, and who have been kind to m>. I feel not the slightest resentment ngaost any political opponents, for I believe Hat few public men who are worth anything fail to secure, enemies. If it were possible -,o stretch out my baud I should ho happy to JiaUe hands with all of you (applause) ; but I will conclude by saying that before 1 leave. Oiago I may possibly take another opportunity of addressing the cithous of Dunedin.—(bond and continued applause.) On the motion of the Tloi.. Mr Vogel, a vote of thanks to the M ay or for presiding was proposed anil adopted by .acclamation.