ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 3276, 20 August 1873, Page 3

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

MU VOGEL DEFENDS HIMSELF. In concluding his speech on the Suez Mail Service, Mr Vogel said : I have been accused very broadly of mismanaging this matter from beginning to end : of making various contracts without having a proper regard for the interests of the Colony. Now, I should like to ask the House to give a verdict upon this subject, and any honorable member who raises the question will have my thanks for doing so. I must say, in explanation of the relations existing between myself and my colleagues—not only those sitting on these benches at present, but also those who have acted with me before —that in dealing with these matters it is not correct to say that I have acted entirely on my own responsibility and without the concurrence of other Ministers. Those of my colleagues with whom I have been associated for a long time will bear me out in saying that in every step I have taken in regard to this matter, I have, as far as was practicable, consulted them and obtained their full concurrence. I may also say, in reference to the honorable member for Rangitikei —my chief when the contracts were made —-chat he was most enthusiastic in his support of the Californian line: that there was no one in the House or out of it who looked for larger results from the establishment of that line, or who took a deeper interest in its success, than that honorable gentleman. Of the Government which initiated the Californian service, the Native Minister is the only member besides myself who now sits on these benches. Personally, I am prepared to take all the responsibility, and I should like to have the question settled one way or the other. I have no reason to complain of the action taken by the Opposition generally in this matter. Ido not think they have opposed the Government on this subject bo much as upon other subjects ; and they must see that we nave throughout had the support of large majorities. But, Sir, honorable members must recognise that it is very inconvenient to have to come down year after year with a full history of the past, in order to sustain myself and to justify my personal action. It would be much move satisfactory if the question were raised at once, whether or not there has been any mismanagement—whethci there has been a want of care for the true interests of the Colony ? lam quite content to take the whole responsibility upon myself, and I shall feel obliged to any honorable gentleman who will raise the question, and take a verdict upon it, anil so settle the matter for the future. According to the decision at which the House may arrive upon the subject, would I allow to depend whether or not I would take any part in the future conduct of the affairs of New Zealand. For myself, I know the untiring efforts I have made in connection with this Californian service, aud the labor which the negotiations have entailed on me. The coirespondence it has involved has been enormous. The care and the anxiety to see the service established have entailed upon me much of the ill health from which I have suffered. I cannot allow it to be left in doubt as to whether I have watched over the interests of the Colony. I throw down the challenge to-night, and ask the House to say whether or not I have acted for the good of New Zealand —whether or not I have been actuated by a desire to serve it —whether or not anything has been wanting that ought to have been done. Ido not believe that any member of the House, placed in the position I occupied, and having to meet the same difficulties that 1 had to encounter, would have taken a different course, or would have wished to take a different course, I believe I have taken that course in all these matters which any Minister having the interests of the Colony at heart would have taken, I wish to know whether that opinion is shared in by the House. I feel that all the exertions which one may make, with the view of being useful to the Colony, may be attended with very barren results —that they may be followed by results the least pleasing to the person who makes them, and that they may not awaken a feeling of gratitude or consideration on the part of those for whom they are made.